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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 21

Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Standing Committee on Official Languages met in camera at 9:07 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Steven Blaney, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Hon. Mauril Bélanger, Steven Blaney, Hon. Michael D. Chong, Jean-Claude D'Amours, Yvon Godin, Raymond Gravel, Luc Harvey, Pierre Lemieux, Richard Nadeau, Daniel Petit, Pablo Rodriguez and Brent St. Denis.

Other Members present: Claude Bachand.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean-Rodrigue Paré, Analyst.

Witnesses: Department of National Defence: Mary McFadyen, Interim Ombudsman, National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman; Margaret Brandon, Director General of Operations, National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman; Denis Egglefield, Director of Investigations, National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

At 9:50 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:55 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Richard Nadeau moved, — That the Committee again invite Mr. Bernard Lord to appear before it to discuss his recommendations for the Action Plan on Official Languages.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Mauril Bélanger moved, — That all written correspondence from the Standing Committee on Official Languages, including requests to appear, be written in the language of the recipient and, in case of doubt, in both languages.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Yvon Godin moved, — That, as proposed by the Subcommittee, the Committee pursue the following studies, according to the availability of witnesses: Bernard Lord's recommendations for the Action Plan for Official Languages; the analysis of the 2006 Census; the Canada Community Agreements; the Vancouver 2010 Olympics; Air Canada; the language skills of exempt management staff; access to justice; and post-secondary institutions.

Daniel Petit moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “Action Plan for Official Languages,” the following: “CBC's broadcast of the Canadian Songwriters' Hall of Fame gala”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Daniel Petit and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, as proposed by the Subcommittee, the Committee pursue the following studies, according to the availability of witnesses: Bernard Lord's recommendations for the Action Plan for Official Languages; CBC's broadcast of the Canadian Songwriters' Hall of Fame gala; the analysis of the 2006 Census; the Canada Community Agreements; the Vancouver 2010 Olympics; Air Canada; the language skills of exempt management staff; access to justice; and post-secondary institutions.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, November 15, 2007, the Committee resumed its study of the situation of francophones at the Canadian Forces Base in Borden.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 10:54 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Graeme Truelove
Clerk of the Committee

2008/04/03 11:36 a.m.