Publication Search

Committee

Consult the user guide

For assistance, please contact us

Consult the user guide

For assistance, please contact us

Search English content Search French content

Add search criteria

Results: 1 - 15 of 143

Committee Evidence - LANG-23

2021-03-25

Emmanuel Dubourg - 16:19

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-25 16:20

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be splitting my time with Mr. Godin.

Four airports have been designated for international passenger flight arrivals, two being out west, in Vancouver and Calgary. Canada's official languages commissioner has said that CBSA does not provide bilingual service related to COVID-19 at the international airports. We all recall the stories of French-speaking Canadian travellers who were repatriated last year; they had trouble obtaining French-language information on COVID-19 and quarantine measures.

Now, there are all kinds of problems related to the quarantine measures and hotels. Can you comment on the quarantine process when it comes to hotels?

Denis Vinette - 16:21

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-25 16:22

Thank you, Mr. Vinette.

We now go to Mr. Godin.

Emmanuel Dubourg - 16:22

Hon. Steven Blaney - 17:18

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-25 17:18

Perhaps we could finish this round of questions.

Emmanuel Dubourg - 17:18

Committee Evidence - LANG-20

2021-03-09

Emmanuel Dubourg - 18:51

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-09 18:51

Thank you very much for your presentation, Mr. Corbeil.

You mentioned that the French-language population was growing in number, but decreasing proportionately. You said that immigration was the main reason for this.

In 2019, according to the immigration statistics, none of the 10 countries from which the vast majority of immigrants come had French as a first or official language. Considering the fact that Canada's population growth is mainly through immigration and not the birth rate, what should we do? What can we do?

Do you have any comments on this?

French Immigration and immigrants Official languages policy

Jean-Pierre Corbeil - 18:52

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-09 18:54

I am a member of Parliament from the Vancouver area. In light of the circumstances caused by COVID-19 last year, many immigrants from Africa whose second language is French had a great deal of trouble obtaining services in that language. It's truly a problem. It's indicative of how poorly we are doing in providing services to official language minority communities.

Do you think that our systems are requiring people who live outside Quebec to learn English rather than French? I am referring to francophones and francophiles.

French Immigration and immigrants Language training Official languages policy

Jean-Pierre Corbeil - 18:55

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-09 18:56

Right. I wonder whether we can make more of an effort to attract French-speaking immigrants. It's a big question, and it may be out of your...

French Immigration and immigrants Official languages policy

Jean-Pierre Corbeil - 18:56

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-09 18:56

I understand.

I find it encouraging to see just how many students are in immersion programs. You said that there was a 70% increase since 2003. There are now half a million students in immersion. Here in British Columbia, there are 54,000. This demonstrates enthusiasm about learning French across the country. That's a good thing.

As you mentioned, the greatest challenge is retention of the language in an anglophone setting. To promote French as an official language, we think that it's very important to focus on this pool of immersion students. We mustn't lose that.

Do you have any comments or suggestions about this?

French Immersion courses Official languages policy

Jean-Pierre Corbeil - 18:57

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-09 18:57

That's the challenge we need to meet, which is to grow the French language community. I'm sure that even the students want to continue to use their second language.

French Official languages policy

Emmanuel Dubourg - 18:58

Emmanuel Dubourg - 20:39

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-03-09 20:41

Thank you very much.

Emmanuel Dubourg - 20:41

Committee Evidence - LANG-19

2021-02-25

Emmanuel Dubourg - 16:26

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-02-25 16:26

I want to say that I really liked Mr. Côté's comments. He has argued his point very well.

The Standing Committee on Official Languages had asked the government to introduce a bill before Christmas, but that never happened. As you mentioned, all we ever get from the government is empty words. There are projects and plans, but what we really want is concrete proposals. We want a bill before the next election. That's the problem were facing at the moment.

French Official languages policy

Emmanuel Dubourg - 16:27

Emmanuel Dubourg - 17:00

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-02-25 17:00

Thank you very much.

I very much enjoyed your comments, Senator Joyal. We can learn a lot from you.

You underscored the importance of immigration and the demographic decline in La Belle Province. Quebec already has powers in matters of immigration.

What more can the province do? You mentioned the importance of controlling this. Doesn't the province already have control over it?

Francophones French Immigration and immigrants Official languages policy Province of Quebec

Hon. Serge Joyal - 17:01

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-02-25 17:04

Excuse me, I have only a few minutes left.

Emmanuel Dubourg - 17:04

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-02-25 17:04

Okay. I'll ask a short question and then address Ms. Jennings.

Is it true that shortly after arriving in Quebec, many immigrants head to Toronto and Vancouver?

French Official languages policy Province of Quebec Settlement of immigrants

Hon. Serge Joyal - 17:04

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-02-25 17:05

Thank you, Mr. Joyal.

I have only a few seconds left and would like to ask Ms. Jennings a question.

Emmanuel Dubourg - 17:05

CPC (BC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge)

2021-02-25 17:05

Ms. Jennings, when you came in December you were asked if the government had consulted you regarding the livre blanc and you said no. I'm just wondering if you've been contacted since that time. You made some commentary at that time.

French Official languages policy Public consultation

Hon. Marlene Jennings - 17:05

Results: 1 - 15 of 143 | Page: 1 of 10