Official Languages

The committee dealt with two matters. First, Mario Beaulieu moved a motion for a study of at least two meetings on intimidation of a public servant at Public Safety Canada who requested documents in French. The motion proposed inviting the Commissioner of Official Languages, the President of the Treasury Board, the Minister of Public Safety, senior officials from Public Safety Canada, the president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and other witnesses. Joël Godin supported the study and noted an issue with chaplains at the Donnacona penitentiary having to take bilingualism tests. Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault indicated Liberal support for the motion.

Second, the committee discussed a unilingual English statement by Air Canada’s CEO following a fatal accident involving an Air Canada plane. Louis Villeneuve tabled a notice of motion expressing strong indignation and inviting the CEO to appear for one hour, with a second hour for experts on legislative solutions. Godin proposed an amendment to add a second hour for experts to help define measures for government intervention. Deschênes-Thériault moved to remove the words “and passengers” from the motion. The committee then moved in camera to continue work on reports, leaving the motions and amendment unresolved.