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Mr. Deltell has asked the two questions I wanted to ask. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm fully in favour of Ms. DeBellefeuille suggestions. I believe that we all want to strengthen French. This commitment was expressed yesterday, but it needs to be heard every day. I think that we're all sincere, whether in the New Democratic Party, the Conservative Party, the Bloc Québecois or the Liberal Party. But we need to do even more. We all agreed on this yesterday. We need to say it again today and say it again tomorrow. And it needs to go beyond mere words, and transformed into concrete action.

I think that some of this responsibility unfortunately falls to the committee members. We spoke about it earlier. I therefore suggest that when a problem of this kind arises, the MPs themselves, out of respect for both official languages, should ask that discussion cease until the problem is solved.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would just like to go back to the funding request of nearly $273,000 for the three full-time employees and the office rental service.

It seems necessary, since you're asking for it, but three full-time employees to work in this department between two elections seems like a lot to me. I'd just like to understand the value of the service and how essential it could be between elections, since generally there are few transactions or changes.

Could you tell us more about it?

Thank you.

Mr. LeBlanc, can you hear me?

Comb your hair, would you?

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Good morning, Mr. Drouin.

I ask this out of curiosity more than anything else. This time, the conference will be held in Montreal, but which cities was it held in the other two times?

Thank you.

You mentioned the ongoing pandemic. I thought I heard you say that, given the circumstances, all the contracts for the event would include a force majeure clause so they could be cancelled without triggering significant penalties. Is that right?

At line 3, the budget lists logistics, transportation and accommodation. For the 2022 conference, $465,000 is allocated for transportation and accommodation.

Does that mean we're paying the expenses for all the delegates or those from less fortunate countries? How does that work?

Thank you.

I have one last question.

Do we ever give delegates from less fortunate countries a helping hand? Not every country in the Francophonie is wealthy, after all.

Thank you.

What I had to say aligns perfectly with the points made by Ms. DeBellefeuille, who raised some extremely important issues.

I just want to make sure that this analysis will identify any changes or adaptations allowed as a result of COVID-19, and until when, and the type of additional authorizations that we must obtain from the Board of Internal Economy to continue running for the duration of this pandemic.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also want to thank the committee members for their work.

The questions that I wanted to ask on this topic have already been put forward. That said, I'd like Mr. Speaker or the group members to refresh my memory on the following matter. I know that the group must also look at the general requirements for the Centre Block. I want to know the next steps of the working group and when our committee will be dealing with this.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It's not so much a question I have, as it is a comment.

My understanding is that the rules make no mention of patio furniture. We would be setting an unacceptable precedent, were we to grant the request. As mentioned, this type of furniture does not count as office equipment. If we agree to reimburse a member for patio furniture, next, we could have someone asking to be reimbursed for a barbecue, and it would never end. I think denying the expense was the right decision.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I wasn't planning to speak, but I think the debate is dragging on a bit and we're going around in circles. I thought it was all pretty clear. It brings openness, transparency and a certain balance, which I think is necessary, between the disclosure of this important information to Canadians and the discretion that the Speaker can exercise. I think that is why we should move forward. I did not think we would spend that much time on this, honestly.