Official Languages

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages met to discuss Air Canada's commitment to Canada's official languages. The meeting was prompted by concerns about the former CEO, Michael Rousseau's, lack of French proficiency and a perceived disregard for the French language. Conservative MP Joël Godin introduced a motion to invite the new Air Canada CEO to appear before the committee to assess their commitment to official languages. Liberal MP Louis Villeneuve proposed an amendment, which was supported by Godin, to also invite the Chair of Air Canada's Board of Directors to discuss the company's priorities regarding official languages in the recruitment of the new CEO. Other committee members, including Mario Beaulieu (Bloc Québécois) and Madeleine Chenette (Liberal), emphasized the importance of Air Canada providing services in both English and French. Some, like Jim Bélanger (Conservative), questioned whether the committee was overstepping its mandate by influencing Air Canada's hiring decisions. The committee agreed to the amended motion, which included inviting both the new CEO and the Chair of the Board of Directors to appear before the committee. Finally, the committee agreed to send a letter of congratulations to Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen for speaking French during the Artemis II mission, recognizing it as a historic moment for the French language.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss language rights issues. The first issue was a public servant at Public Safety Canada who faced problems for requesting documents in French. Mario Beaulieu introduced a motion to study this issue, inviting the Commissioner of Official Languages and officials from Public Safety Canada to speak about it. The committee agreed to hold at least two meetings to investigate. Joël Godin brought up the issue of bilingualism tests for chaplains in Quebec and New Brunswick and wanted to include this in the study. The committee then discussed a statement made by Air Canada's CEO, Michael Rousseau, in English only, following a tragic accident. Committee members felt this was disrespectful to French-speaking Canadians. Louis Villeneuve introduced a motion to invite the CEO to explain his actions and to hear from experts on how to prevent similar situations in the future. Joël Godin proposed adding an hour to the meeting with the CEO to hear from experts on how the government can intervene in such situations. This amendment was supported and added to the motion. Another amendment was made to remove the words “and passengers”. The committee then voted to adopt the amended motion, requiring the Air Canada CEO to appear and discuss the incident. Finally, the committee moved to a private session to work on reports.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss proposed rules for how the government ensures English and French have equal status. The meeting focused on draft regulations related to Part VII of the Official Languages Act, which aims to support minority language communities and promote both languages across Canada. Witnesses shared concerns that the proposed rules were too vague and didn't clearly define how the government would measure success in achieving these goals. Some worried the regulations focused too much on protecting minority language communities without enough attention to promoting bilingualism throughout Canadian society. Étienne-Alexis Boucher from Droits collectifs Québec expressed disappointment with the regulations, arguing they didn't align with international law or properly support French in Quebec. Derrek Bentley from Canadian Parents for French emphasized the need for the regulations to equally address minority language protection and the promotion of bilingualism, suggesting clearer definitions and support for organizations focused on bilingualism. Stéphanie Chouinard, a professor, echoed these concerns, advocating for clearer objectives, accountability measures, and the use of evidence-based data to assess progress. Committee members questioned the witnesses on specific issues, such as defining "other stakeholders" in the regulations and how to ensure effective consultation with different groups. Witnesses offered suggestions for improving the regulations, including setting measurable objectives, clarifying the roles of different organizations, and ensuring the government is accountable for its actions. The committee will use the feedback to consider revisions to the proposed regulations.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss regulations related to the equality of status and use of English and French. The committee heard from Antoine Désilets, Managing Director of Société Santé en français, and Rémi Léger, a professor at Simon Fraser University. Both speakers emphasized the importance of strong regulations to ensure the Official Languages Act is effectively implemented, particularly concerning the vitality of Francophone communities. Désilets highlighted the gap between federal-provincial health agreements that recognize equal access for linguistic minorities and the lack of concrete measures to achieve this in practice. He argued that the proposed regulations don't provide federal institutions with the necessary tools to address complex situations, like intergovernmental agreements, and suggested the regulations need clearer definitions of positive measures, community consultations, and mechanisms for measuring progress. Léger criticized the draft regulations for simply repeating the Act's language without providing practical guidance for implementation. He stressed that the regulations should focus on achieving substantive equality between English and French, which he believes is the central goal of the modernized Act. He recommended that the Treasury Board rewrite the regulations to reflect this principle and provide tools for public servants to implement it effectively. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of clarity and enforceability in the draft regulations. They discussed the need for concrete measures, better definitions, and improved consultation processes. The committee also discussed adding Stéphanie Chouinard as a witness. The committee will continue to hear from witnesses at the next meeting.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss regulations related to the Official Languages Act. The committee heard from two groups: the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne (AFFC) and the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC). The AFFC, represented by Nour Enayeh and Soukaina Boutiyeb, emphasized the importance of considering the specific needs of francophone women within intersectional analyses, arguing that language rights should not be diluted. They want a "language lens" included in gender-based analysis. Martin Normand, representing the ACUFC, expressed concerns that the proposed law could stifle innovation and limit the scope of the Official Languages Act. He suggested that the proposed law was too restrictive and didn't encourage federal groups to take proactive steps to improve the equality of French and English. He also said that the rules for how to do analysis and consultations were not good enough. Committee members questioned the witnesses on their concerns and suggestions for improving the proposed law. Joël Godin asked about specific elements that should be included in the regulations. Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault asked for examples where the current approach has been problematic. Mario Beaulieu asked about defining substantive equality in college and university education. The committee then began debating a motion about a study on the integration and acceptance of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, but the debate was postponed.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss proposed rules for the Official Languages Act, specifically how these rules would affect the equality of status and use of official languages. The first panel heard from Sylvia Martin-Laforge, Director General of "Talking. Advocating. Living in Quebec" (TALQ), and Marion Sandilands, a lawyer with the organization. Martin-Laforge expressed support for the proposed rules as a step forward but emphasized that they mainly focus on process rather than achieving measurable outcomes for the English-speaking community in Quebec. She highlighted concerns about how the rules address the unique situation in Quebec, where the federal government must protect both French and the English-speaking minority, and how the Charter of the French Language is considered. She suggested the proposed rules need clearer direction and enforceable obligations to ensure real improvements for minority communities. TALQ had filed a complaint about how an agreement between Canada and Quebec did not seem to follow Part VII of the Official Languages Act. During the second panel, Linda Cardinal, a professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa, argued that the proposed rules need to be reworked to be more relevant and impactful. She criticized them for lacking concrete directions and specific measures to ensure the vitality of official language minorities. Cardinal recommended defining what constitutes a "concrete measure" and using a language-based differential analysis to guide the work of public servants. Geoffroy Krajewski, chair of the Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences (RESDAC), and Denis Desgagné, the executive director, focused on lifelong learning for francophone minorities. Krajewski stressed the importance of including references to non-formal and informal learning in the rules and ensuring transparency in agreements between the federal government and the provinces. He also suggested alternative methods for resolving disputes between federal institutions and communities. Committee members questioned the witnesses on various aspects of the proposed rules. Some members expressed concern that the rules did not go far enough in addressing the needs of official language minorities, while others focused on the unique situation in Quebec and the need to protect both French and English. There was discussion about the lack of clear indicators to measure the success of the rules and the need for greater accountability from federal institutions. Witnesses provided recommendations on how to improve the rules, including defining concrete measures, using language-based analysis, and increasing transparency and consultation with minority communities. The committee will continue its review of the proposed rules in future meetings.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss proposed rules for how the government puts into action Part VII of the Official Languages Act, which focuses on promoting English and French. Treasury Board officials, including Vidya ShankarNarayan and Carsten Quell, explained the proposed rules and how they consulted with different groups to create them. Committee members questioned whether the rules were strong enough and if they truly reflected the intent of the updated Official Languages Act, especially regarding the protection of French in Quebec. They also discussed how the rules would be enforced and whether they would lead to real change. Representatives from the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (FCFA), including Liane Roy and Alain Dupuis, expressed strong disappointment with the proposed rules. They felt the rules didn't go far enough to protect French and didn't reflect the promises of the updated Official Languages Act. The FCFA proposed several changes, including making sure that positive measures have a real impact, are developed with community input, and are based on solid evidence. They also stressed the importance of including language clauses in all agreements with provinces and territories. Committee members from different parties shared concerns about the rules and asked for clarification on various points. They discussed how to define positive measures, how to ensure effective consultations with communities, and how to measure the impact of the rules. Some members suggested specific changes to the rules, such as making proposed language provisions public and ensuring that positive measures are part of the main work of government departments. Ultimately, the committee agreed to recommend the appointment of Kelly Burke as Commissioner of Official Languages. The committee decided to create a report to formally recommend her appointment. The committee will consider the feedback received and potentially revise the proposed regulations before they are finalized.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss Kelly Burke's nomination for Commissioner of Official Languages. Burke gave an opening statement about her background and vision for the role, emphasizing the importance of bilingualism and the modernized Official Languages Act. She highlighted her experience as a lawyer, assistant deputy minister, and French Language Services Commissioner, and her commitment to language rights and working with both anglophone and francophone communities. Committee members then questioned Burke on various topics. Committee members questioned Burke about her departure from her previous role as French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario, seeking clarity on whether she resigned voluntarily or was asked to leave. They also inquired about her vision for the Office of the Commissioner, her plans for operationalizing the new powers under the modernized act, and her approach to addressing the decline of French in Canada. Some members raised concerns about the lack of new measures for French in Quebec and the need to protect the rights of English-speaking Quebeckers. Burke responded to questions about her qualifications, her understanding of the challenges facing official language minority communities, and her plans for promoting bilingualism and compliance with the Official Languages Act. She emphasized the importance of education, community engagement, and a legal perspective in her approach. She also acknowledged the need to address the anglicization of the digital world and to ensure that government services are available in both official languages across the country. The committee also discussed the importance of post-secondary education in French, the need for stable funding for francophone institutions, and the challenges of promoting French in urban centers with diverse immigrant populations. Burke stressed the importance of encouraging young people to study in French and providing them with job opportunities that utilize their bilingual skills. The committee set aside time at the end of the meeting for a private discussion on how to proceed with the study of Burke's nomination.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss proposed rules for fining organizations that don't follow the Official Languages Act. The committee heard from several groups, including a law professor, airport representatives, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), and Marine Atlantic Inc. Érik Labelle Westin-Eastaugh, a law professor, said the fines are a good step but worried about the rules being too complicated and excluding some groups like border security. Airport representatives, Julie Pondant and James Bogusz, asked that smaller airports be exempt from the fines because it's hard for them to find bilingual staff. They also said the rules are unclear. Eric Fortier from CATSA explained that they take language obligations seriously and work with the Commissioner of Official Languages to improve. Patti Merrigan from Marine Atlantic said fines might not work in rural areas where it's hard to find bilingual workers, and could lead to reduced services. During the meeting, a motion was introduced by Mario Beaulieu regarding a speech by Prime Minister Mark Carney on the Plains of Abraham. The motion was amended to condemn any characterization of Canadian history that minimizes policies aimed at assimilating Francophones. The committee voted to adopt the amended motion. Due to time constraints caused by the motion, the committee members thanked the witnesses and asked them to send in their recommendations in writing. The committee then moved to an in camera session to continue working on their report.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss the use of French in government communications and federal institutions. The Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Marc Miller, was the key speaker. He emphasized the importance of protecting and promoting official languages as a core part of Canadian identity. He noted the government's commitment to bilingualism and efforts to ensure services are available in both English and French. Committee members questioned the Minister about the Prime Minister's use of French and measures to increase the use of French across government. Some members expressed concerns about the decline of French and the effectiveness of current policies. The committee also heard from Air Canada representatives, who raised concerns about proposed administrative monetary penalties for non-compliance with official languages requirements, arguing it creates an uneven playing field compared to other airlines and government agencies.

The Standing Committee on Official Languages met to discuss the use of French in government communications and federal institutions. Raymond Théberge, the Commissioner of Official Languages, spoke about the importance of bilingualism for leaders in Canada. He noted that while the Official Languages Act applies to institutions, it's important for leaders, like the Prime Minister, to show commitment to both languages. He also mentioned concerns about French being treated as a translated language and the need for more effort to create a truly bilingual public service. He also discussed proposed changes to the rules about penalties for not following the Official Languages Act, saying they could be too complicated. Committee members questioned Mr. Théberge on various issues. Some members focused on the Prime Minister's use of French and whether enough was being done to promote it. There were questions about whether the Prime Minister was setting a good example and if ministers were adequately supporting bilingualism. Some committee members brought up concerns about the decline of French in Canada, even within Quebec. Others asked about the government's efforts to protect French and support French-speaking communities. Mr. Théberge acknowledged that there has been some progress in bilingualism within the government, but more work is needed. He emphasized the importance of political will and ensuring that French is not just a translated language, but a language of work. He also highlighted the need to support French-speaking communities and adapt to their changing needs. He stressed that the Official Languages Act exists to support these communities, not just to have a bilingual government. The meeting ended with thanks to Mr. Théberge for his service as Commissioner.

The Canadian parliamentary committee on Official Languages met to discuss proposed rules for fining certain organizations that don't meet their French language obligations. These rules would allow the Commissioner of Official Languages to issue fines, called administrative monetary penalties, to Air Canada, Via Rail, Marine Atlantic, and some airport authorities if they don't provide services in both English and French. The goal is to make these organizations follow the Official Languages Act, which requires them to communicate with and serve the public in both official languages. Julie Boyer from the Department of Canadian Heritage explained the details of the proposed rules, including the types of violations that could lead to fines and how the fines would be determined. Some committee members worried the rules were too complicated and wouldn't be effective enough, while others questioned why more organizations weren't included. Witnesses from Droits collectifs Québec and the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (FCFA) shared their thoughts on the proposed rules. They agreed the rules were a good idea but didn't go far enough. They felt the fines were too small to really make a difference for big companies like Air Canada. They also thought the rules should apply to more organizations, such as the Canada Border Services Agency and airport security. Liane Roy from FCFA suggested the rules should be reviewed every five years to make sure they're working. Étienne-Alexis Boucher from Droits collectifs Québec expressed concern about the complexity of the rules, saying they could be difficult for the Commissioner to enforce. Committee members discussed whether the proposed fines were high enough to deter repeat violations, especially by large corporations. Some members suggested a public registry of organizations that have been fined would be a good way to encourage compliance. There was also discussion about whether the rules should be extended to federally regulated private businesses. The committee agreed to continue studying the proposed rules and consider possible changes. The Commissioner of Official Languages will appear at the next meeting to discuss the use of French in government communications and may also address the proposed regulations.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages met to discuss the use of French in government communications. However, the meeting quickly turned to a debate about whether the Minister of Official Languages, Marc Miller, should be called to testify about his views on the decline of French in Canada. Joël Godin, a Conservative member, introduced a motion to condemn recent comments by Minister Miller, where he expressed being "fed up" with the debate on the decline of French. Other committee members, including Madeleine Chenette and Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault from the Liberal party, proposed amendments and subamendments to the motion. Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board, was present for the first part of the meeting. He emphasized his commitment to protecting and promoting both official languages within the public service. He highlighted the Treasury Board's role in implementing the Official Languages Act and supporting minority language communities. However, he faced tough questions from committee members, particularly regarding the Prime Minister's limited use of French in public appearances. Ali repeatedly stated that his role was to implement the Official Languages Act across the federal public service and that he was personally committed to learning French. Conservative members questioned the Treasury Board President about the Prime Minister's use of French and the budget allocated to the Prime Minister's Office. Liberal members focused on the Treasury Board's role in ensuring government services are available in both official languages and supporting employees in learning both languages. Members from the Bloc Québécois raised concerns about the decline of French in Quebec and the need for the federal government to take specific measures to protect it. Ultimately, the committee agreed to a motion urging Minister Miller to testify for two hours on his position regarding the decline of French in Canada, including in Quebec, by February 12, 2026. The motion also stated that if Minister Miller fails to meet this deadline, the committee will report his failure to testify to the House. The committee also agreed to language reaffirming its view that French is in decline in Canada and that this situation requires urgent federal action.