Official Languages

The House of Commons Official Languages Committee met to study the proposed regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses, linked to Bill C-13. Appearing from the Department of Canadian Heritage were Julie Boyer, Assistant Deputy Minister; Sarah Boily, Director General; and Richard Léger, Director of Official Languages Regulations.

Julie Boyer stated that the proposed regulations are the result of years of consultation and will create new rights for francophone consumers and employees in Quebec and in regions with a strong francophone presence outside Quebec. She noted the regulations will first apply in Quebec, then two years later in designated regions, and that a cost-benefit analysis shows net-positive benefits. She confirmed the department will closely examine the committee's four recommendations on the administrative penalties regulations.

Sarah Boily explained that a region qualifies as having a strong francophone presence if it meets one of three criteria: 20% of a province's population has potential demand for French services, a census division has 20% potential demand, or a metropolitan area has 30,000 people with 10% potential demand in a census tract. She said the 100-employee threshold for regions outside Quebec was chosen based on a business's ability to implement the regime, and that the minister will publish a list of businesses subject to the federal regime. She disagreed with MP Godin's suggestion that the minister is required to publish the list, clarifying the act gives the minister authority but not a duty to do so.

Richard Léger clarified that the minister has authority under sections 12 and 13 of the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act to publish the list of businesses, but acknowledged the act does not explicitly require it. He explained that the Halifax region does not meet the criteria for a strong francophone presence because it falls just below the 30,000-person threshold for potential demand. He noted that compliance enforcement falls to the Commissioner of Official Languages, who can investigate complaints and issue orders.

The committee engaged in procedural discussion about the meeting schedule, with members agreeing to hear witnesses for a full hour before adjourning. No motions or votes were recorded.