THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, May 25, 2026
(20)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 5:01 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Allister Surette, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cormier, Hébert, Henkel, Moncion, Poirier and Surette (6).
Participating in the meeting: Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the committee continued its study on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to official languages generally. (Topic: Draft regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses).
WITNESSES:
WestJet:
Lyne Chayer, Vice President, Guest experience and Vacations;
Tristan Joanette, Legal Counsel.
Federally Regulated Employers, Transportation and Communications:
Derrick Hynes, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Canadian Bankers Association:
Eric Prud'homme, Director, Québec and Atlantic Government Relations;
Christian Petit-Frère, Senior Legal Counsel, Legal and Risk.
Lyne Chayer made a statement and, together with Tristan Joanette, answered questions.
At 6:02 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:08 p.m., the committee resumed.
Derrick Hynes and Eric Prud'homme made a statement and, together with Christian Petit-Frère, answered questions.
At 7:04 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:10 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording and/or the transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or their staff, and that the audio recording and/or the transcription be destroyed by the clerk of the committee when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.
At 7:40 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Katy Quinn
Clerk of the Committee