//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1720)[English]About 290,000 people have taken courses this year alone. What is the average number of people who take the courses in a year and what is the motivation? Is it really for advancement?Canada School of Public ServiceLanguage of workLanguage trainingStaffingRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheWendyBullion-Winters//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1720)[English]I had heard 290,000, and I was kind of blown away by the number.Canada School of Public ServiceLanguage of workLanguage trainingStaffingWendyBullion-WintersRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1720)[English]Oh, it's since the beginning, okay.Do you have teachers, or is everything online and the people get directed by questionnaires and that sort of thing? Do you have instructors working with people?Canada School of Public ServiceLanguage of workLanguage trainingStaffingRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheWendyBullion-Winters//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1720)[English]Thank you. Time is so short here.What about your senior staffers? My understanding is that quite often they could get up to a year off with pay for intensive French learning. Do you run that also, or how is that run?Canada School of Public ServiceLanguage of workLanguage trainingStaffingWendyBullion-WintersRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1720)[English]Actually, Monsieur Généreux, read your question.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheBernardGénéreuxMontmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1555)[Translation]I thank the witnesses for their comments.As a member from British Columbia, I'd like to start by saying that I visited a number of francophone organizations in Vancouver last week together with a few colleagues, including Mr. Godin. I want to congratulate Mr. Godin, our vice-chair, on receiving the Kermode award from the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique for his efforts to advance the French fact in minority language communities.Ms. Letellier, we visited the Chambre de commerce francophone de Vancouver and met with some 60 business people.Do you have a relationship with that chamber of commerce?Community economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesSociété de développement économique de la Colombie-BritanniqueVancouverRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheMylèneLetellier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1555)[Translation]Do you communicate with anglophone businesses to make sure they're aware of francophones' services and needs? Do you work with other organizations?Also, in your work, do companies generally come to you or do you go to them? Or both?Community economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesSociété de développement économique de la Colombie-BritanniqueMylèneLetellierMylèneLetellier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1600)[Translation]Your organization is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Thank you for the work you do in the province.It's always a battle, but is it getting harder and harder? How would you describe your progress and the challenges?Community economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesSociété de développement économique de la Colombie-BritanniqueMylèneLetellierMylèneLetellier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1710)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.Congratulations on the success of your business, Mr. Fortin. What a great undertaking.The Conservative Party wants to get rid of the carbon tax. I know that British Columbia collects its own carbon tax, but the province has to raise the tax in accordance with federal regulations, and it's supposed to go up on April 1. As a resident of the province, I can tell you that we pay the highest price in the country.Could you please tell us how the tax impacts your business?Carbon taxCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRochFortin//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]The Liberal government said that businesses receive more money than they pay in taxes.Has that been your experience?Carbon taxCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesRochFortinRochFortin//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]Thank you.Ms. Pelletier, the committee heard from the president of the Haut‑Madawaska Chamber of Commerce. His region is right next to yours.Community economic developmentEdmundston Region Chamber of CommerceLinguistic minoritiesRochFortinCathyPelletier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]Yes. He talked about the challenges his members face when dealing with bureaucracy. Is that a problem for your businesses too? Is it getting harder and harder for them?Tell us, if you would, about the problems and challenges of having to deal with bureaucracy.BureaucracyCommunity economic developmentEdmundston Region Chamber of CommerceLinguistic minoritiesCathyPelletierCathyPelletier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]Thank you.Did you want to answer that question, Mr. Fortin?CathyPelletierRochFortin//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (0955)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.Thanks to the witnesses for being here with us.Mr. Gauthier, back in the day, French Canadians came to Sudbury to work in mines, on farms and in forests.Are these sectors still as important for French Canadians in this region?Community economic developmentFrancophones outside QuebecLinguistic minoritiesRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheMarcGauthier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0955)[Translation]I've only ever been to Sudbury once, about 40 years ago. You said that in Sudbury today, just over 22% of people are francophones and 38% bilingual. That really surprised me.Is the francophone population stable or decreasing?You also mentioned that the francophone population in Sudbury was aging. Is it aging more than the rest of the population?Community economic developmentFrancophones outside QuebecLinguistic minoritiesMarcGauthierMarcGauthier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0955)[Translation]I spoke about work in mines and forests. There could be lots of good jobs in the natural resources sector. And yet the current government is not encouraging this sector's development. I wonder whether that has an impact when younger people are trying to decide whether to remain in the region, where there are fewer opportunities for good jobs.Mr. Afane, what measures do you think the federal government should take to make companies run by people in the linguistic majority aware of the potential advantages of bilingual communications and services?Community economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesOfficial languages policyMarcGauthierFrançoisAfane//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1000)[Translation]What's the francophone population of the Northwest Territories, and how has it varied over the years?What are the economic characteristics of this population?Community economic developmentFrancophones outside QuebecLinguistic minoritiesNorthwest TerritoriesFrançoisAfaneFrançoisAfane//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1000)[Translation]All right.Ms. Arbez, how have the challenges facing your organization developed over the past decade? Are the barriers the same or have they changed?FrançoisAfaneRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1715)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.Thank you to the witnesses.Mr. Desjardins, you talked about the definition of small business, and that worried me a little. We're making significant investments, and we don't want to waste money. We want to do the best we can to help francophone businesses in minority communities.Can you elaborate on that a little more? What definition would you suggest to describe what constitutes a francophone business? What would you suggest we do?Community economic developmentEntrepreneurship and entrepreneursFrancophonesLinguistic minoritiesRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigouchePierre-MarcelDesjardins//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]From your perspective, is it worth investing in these companies?Community economic developmentEntrepreneurship and entrepreneursFrancophonesLinguistic minoritiesPierre-MarcelDesjardinsPierre-MarcelDesjardins//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1720)[Translation]A witness who appeared just before you talked about the housing crisis, which is adding to the challenges around integrating immigrants, not only from francophone countries, but from other countries too. Mr. Deveau, you talked about how important francophone immigrants are to Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.Do you sense similar tensions where you're from? Are you able to provide assistance to immigrants in your regions? I'm from Vancouver myself, and I know we're facing this challenge. Can you talk about that aspect?Pierre-MarcelDesjardinsRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1620)[Translation]Thank you, Ms. Audet and Mr. Desgagné, for your comments.Do you work mainly with newcomers?Community economic developmentImmigration and immigrantsLinguistic minoritiesRéseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétencesRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheMonaAudet//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1625)[Translation]Thank you for the clarification.Are many newcomers unable to read in either French or English, or are these people in the minority?Community economic developmentFrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsLinguistic minoritiesMonaAudetMonaAudet//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1625)[Translation]Thank you. It's an important job.Mr. Desgagné, you spoke a bit about skills recognition. Many people's qualifications aren't recognized here. It's challenging for them. That's the case for many newcomers. For example, 20,000 doctors in Canada can't practise because their skills aren't recognized. There are also 30,000 nurses in the same situation. Do you have any recommendations? The Conservative Party feels strongly that these people should have their skills recognized. I'm not saying that anything goes, but their skills should be recognized here. These immigrants are often qualified doctors, but they can't practise when they get here. It's discouraging for them. It isn't good for them or for Canada.Do you have any comments on this?Community economic developmentCredentialsFrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsLinguistic minoritiesMonaAudetDenisDesgagné//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1625)[Translation]Do you have any brief comments on this, Ms. Audet?DenisDesgagnéMonaAudet//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (0945)[Translation]Thank you very much for your testimony, Mr. Normand.Do you think the government just ad-libbed that announcement?Community economic developmentForeign studentsFrancophones outside QuebecImmigration policyLinguistic minoritiesRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheMartinNormand//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0950)[Translation]It seems to have caused some chaos and disarray in the institutions, which are concerned about what's happening and are wondering what they're going to do.You mentioned funding of $90 million. Did I understand you correctly? Could you tell us more about that?How much is the federal government currently granting the institutions?Community economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesSchool management and fundingMartinNormandMartinNormand//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0950)[Translation]Would you please tell us a little about the inflation problem that post-secondary educational institutions are encountering?Community economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesSchool management and fundingMartinNormandMartinNormand//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0950)[Translation]The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, the FCFA, has proposed that the francophone immigration target be increased.If I understood you correctly, you said that approximately 2% of students currently at your institutions are foreign students.Is that correct?Community economic developmentForeign studentsFrancophones outside QuebecImmigration policyLinguistic minoritiesMartinNormandMartinNormand//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0950)[Translation]How has that number changed in the past 10 years?Community economic developmentForeign studentsFrancophones outside QuebecImmigration policyLinguistic minoritiesMartinNormandMartinNormand//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0950)[Translation]Thank you.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1140)[Translation]Thank you very much.Thank you to the witnesses.My first questions are for the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne.We're doing a study on the economy, and there's no question that women are highly skilled, but what more can the government do to help women and minority families prosper?I know you've talked about this before, but could you tell us more?Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienneCommunity economic developmentFrancophonesLinguistic minoritiesWomenRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheSoukainaBoutiyeb//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1140)[Translation]Thank you.Can you paint us a picture of entrepreneurship among francophone and Canadian women in minority situations?Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienneCommunity economic developmentFrancophonesLinguistic minoritiesWomenSoukainaBoutiyebSoukainaBoutiyeb//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1140)[Translation]Thank you very much.[English] Mr. Salter, some of your statistics were quite surprising, as far as the unemployment rate among the anglophone minority goes. Is your focus, as an organization, strictly on the anglophone minority group, or is it on the entire province of Quebec?Anglophones inside QuebecCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesProvincial Employment RoundtableSoukainaBoutiyebNicholasSalter//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1140)[English]Is your funding strictly from the Province of Quebec?Anglophones inside QuebecCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesProvincial Employment RoundtableNicholasSalterNicholasSalter//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1140)[English]Why are they doing this? Is it because they're concerned? Why are they funding your organization?Anglophones inside QuebecCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesProvincial Employment RoundtableNicholasSalterNicholasSalter//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[English]My understanding is that most young anglophones growing up are actually quite fluent in French, so these statistics are surprising. Are these unemployment rates more among the older generation? Can you make some sense of this? Is it more the immigrant population?Anglophones inside QuebecCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesProvincial Employment RoundtableNicholasSalterNicholasSalter//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[English]Are the trends getting worse, or are they stable? What does the current—Anglophones inside QuebecCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesProvincial Employment RoundtableNicholasSalterNicholasSalter//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[English]Would you say that's because they're just not able to engage in the economy—that it's become more difficult for them, being strictly anglophone?Anglophones inside QuebecCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesProvincial Employment RoundtableNicholasSalterNicholasSalter//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[English]Obviously, you—NicholasSalterRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1240)[English]Thank you very much.Thank you for joining us here today.I have some simple questions for whoever is responsible for education or is the spokesperson for education. I don't mean to be patronizing as I ask this, but what skills are needed or what education would be needed to be a doctor or a nurse? What are some of the basic skills in the education field?Drinking waterIndigenous reservesMedical schoolsReport 3, Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities - Indigenous Services CanadaNathalieSinclair-DesgagnéTerrebonneGinaWilson//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1240)[English]Yes. What skills and what type of education would you need to become a doctor?Drinking waterIndigenous reservesMedical schoolsReport 3, Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities - Indigenous Services CanadaGinaWilsonGinaWilson//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1240)[English]What subject skills would you need to excel in?Drinking waterIndigenous reservesMedical schoolsReport 3, Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities - Indigenous Services CanadaGinaWilsonGinaWilson//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1240)[English]Thank you. That's correct. I was a teacher for many years. I know it depends on the type of teacher, but what would be some basic skills you would need to be a teacher?Drinking waterEducation and trainingIndigenous reservesReport 3, Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities - Indigenous Services CanadaGinaWilsonGinaWilson//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1240)[English]Thank you. Those would be some of the things: the ability to read, to write, to communicate. In the trades, if someone wanted to become a heavy-equipment operator or a welder, obviously, they would need training in the vocational skills. The point of the matter I'm trying to get to is that—I found it a bit offensive with the minister, and I wish she were here—she kept talking about colonial metrics. That's a bit patronizing. I'm indigenous. I'm Métis. Indigenous people want good-paying jobs. They need real skills and education. They don't need fluff. They don't want participation ribbons. They want those skills. I'm a little tired of hearing from the Liberal benches and from others about the other metrics. We want to participate, to be involved in society and to benefit our families, our first nations, our communities and our country. That is really important. It's very concerning when we hear that the on-reserve graduation rates are decreasing. It's adopting this and it's going lower. It's like we're watering it down. This is not helpful for first nations and for Métis people. I'm appalled by the “woke” speaking from the minister before us. It is not getting boiled down to opportunities.My aunts and uncles attended residential schools. My father was sent to another residential school so that he wouldn't have to attend the same residential school, but one thing he emphasized was for us, as a family and as children, to get a good education. I have one sister who is a judge, one who is a lawyer and another who is a nurse. Emphasizing education is what first nations and Métis people need, and not just hearing “This is for the world, and this is for the indigenous people.” I'm sorry. We want to succeed and to do well in this society. I'm just venting a bit—nothing personal towards you—about some of these games that are not helpful to lift first nations out of poverty, on the reserves or anywhere. We want to see that development. I was an MLA in British Columbia until 2017. At that time, we found that there wasn't funding on the reserves. It was challenging for many of the first nations to get some of the support. I haven't really followed closely, and maybe there's some good news. Has there been some real development—particularly in B.C., and I guess across Canada—with regard to the standards on reserves as opposed to the provincial standards? Has there been a real improvement in investment and in graduation rates on reserves? I actually have the answers already.Drinking waterGovernment assistanceIndigenous reservesReport 3, Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities - Indigenous Services CanadaGinaWilsonGinaWilson//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1245)[English]I'm sorry. I don't—GinaWilsonNathalieSinclair-DesgagnéTerrebonne//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1710)[Translation]This is a very significant investment, in Quebec. There will be hundreds of employees, and French is really important.I therefore believe that this motion is very important and very relevant.Committee businessMarioBeaulieuLa Pointe-de-l'ÎleMarioBeaulieuLa Pointe-de-l'Île//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1710)[Translation]I would like to understand. Are we voting on adjourning the vote?Committee businessAudréeDallaireAudréeDallaire//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1710)[Translation]If we adjourn the debate and we can come back to it later, I agree.Committee businessJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierMarioBeaulieuLa Pointe-de-l'Île//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1755)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.Thanks to the witnesses.My first questions are for Mr. Fabiano.Many students make the decision to live and study in northern Ontario. I'm thinking, for example, of the students at Laurentian University.What kinds of programs are being introduced in northern Ontario to enable that region to retain young talent?Community economic developmentFederal Economic Development Agency for Northern OntarioLinguistic minoritiesNorthern OntarioJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierNickFabiano//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1800)[Translation]Thank you.What is the percentage of bilingual positions in your organization?Community economic developmentFederal Economic Development Agency for Northern OntarioLinguistic minoritiesOfficial languages policyNickFabianoNickFabiano//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1800)[Translation]How many of those 55 employees provide services directly to the public?Community economic developmentFederal Economic Development Agency for Northern OntarioLinguistic minoritiesNickFabianoNickFabiano//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1800)[Translation]When you say there are few administrative positions and more services, that's music to my ears.What's the process that an entrepreneur has to go through to secure federal government funding?Community economic developmentFederal Economic Development Agency for Northern OntarioLinguistic minoritiesNickFabianoNickFabiano//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1800)[Translation]How much time does it normally take to file an application and receive the funding?Application processCommunity economic developmentFederal Economic Development Agency for Northern OntarioLinguistic minoritiesNickFabianoNickFabiano//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1800)[Translation]I see. That's good.You just partly answered my next question. What requirements does an entrepreneur have to meet?Application processCommunity economic developmentFederal Economic Development Agency for Northern OntarioLinguistic minoritiesNickFabianoNickFabiano//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1805)[Translation]All right.Is my time up, Mr. Chair?NickFabianoJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-Cartier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1725)[English] Congratulations, Minister, on your appointment. I know you were put there to help put an end to some of the waste that's going on in government. I would say maybe that's the appearance of something happening, because the budget has increased by $10 billion in the past year, and one of your roles is to cut down $3 billion a year.Do you not see it as ironic that KPMG was consulted with $670,000 of taxpayers' money to figure out how to reduce consultants? Just give a simple yes or no.Government contractsKPMGOfficial languages policyJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierArielleKayabagaLondon West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1725)[English]It's relevant.ArielleKayabagaLondon WestAnitaAnandHon.Oakville//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1725)[English]Excuse me, Minister, because my time is so short. The government has, in the past year alone, spent—AnitaAnandHon.OakvilleStéphaneLauzonArgenteuil—La Petite-Nation//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1730)[English]It's $16.7 billion that has been spent on consultants in the last year alone. How much money has been spent on consultants for official languages? The reason I ask this is that the action plan has $30.5 million to be spent on economic development for the official languages. Groups have been telling us that they have seen no funding. What they do see, however, is the government's year-to-year spending expanding by billions of dollars.How much is being spent on consulting on official languages?ConsultantsGovernment expendituresOfficial languages policyJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-Cartier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1805)[English]Thank you very much for coming here today. The documentation we have is that for the next five years the allocation is $10.2 million for CED in Quebec and then $6.2 million for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. I have a couple of questions. One, is that primarily just going to administration or is that being disbursed? What is that money for? I know this has been asked in different ways, but we want to know what that is and if it is primarily operating funds, just this budgeted amount right here, because it's actually been the same amount.... It's been consistent over the past quite a few years, so obviously it's not just going forward. Can you tell us how it has been used in the past, specifically that money?Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheDaryellNowlan//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1810)[English]If I could, just because I have limited time.... You said $500,000, but that would be per year. That's not over the entire five years. Is that correct?Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesDaryellNowlanDaryellNowlan//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1810)[English]Okay, so it's $100,000 per year. Is this basically your sole pot of administrative money? You mentioned $500,000. Is that all you have? That sounds like one or maybe two positions. Are there other sources of government financing that you also receive to support your program in operating?Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesDaryellNowlanDaryellNowlan//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1810)[English]Okay, but this is not the only program that you do. You have other programs too. Or are you strictly focused on this?Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesDaryellNowlanDaryellNowlan//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1810)[English]Would that include the Black entrepreneurship initiative and the women entrepreneurship initiative too? Are those different?Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyCommunity economic developmentLinguistic minoritiesDaryellNowlanDaryellNowlan//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1810)[English]Okay. I'm going to assume that's the same answer.Do you have anything to add, Mr. Perron?Community economic developmentEconomic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of QuebecLinguistic minoritiesProvince of QuebecDaryellNowlanSonyPerron//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1810)[English]Thank you very much.The concern we have is obviously top-heavy bureaucracy. We want to make sure that this is getting targeted, that you're measuring and you're seeing results, and that it's not being wasted as we're seeing with the ArriveCAN app and the green slush fund and all these kinds of things that have made Conservatives extremely nervous when we're putting out line things. Those details are important. If you could send—or maybe it's already available—exactly what your administrative costs are, all sources, and what you are providing in services, it would be helpful. We can support or just examine it further.Community economic developmentEconomic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of QuebecLinguistic minoritiesProvince of QuebecSonyPerronRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1140)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.I want to say that I am really disappointed with the immediate reaction to my colleague: he said two sentences, and there was an immediate explosion. I think a bit of politeness is called for on both sides of the room. We have to wait a bit for him to provide some context for his question. Normally, the chair and all the members give a member who is speaking a bit of latitude.Committee businessOfficial languages policyRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1200)[Translation]We are going to stop in five minutes, more or less.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheMarioBeaulieuLa Pointe-de-l'Île//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1730)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.Minister, congratulations on your new position.[English] We have a lot of connections. My father attended Collège Saint-Jean in 1940 and then sisters and family...so there are a lot of connections there. I know you addressed this a bit, but you were appointed in July and the mandate letters are still not out. We're hearing that this is a continuation of before. I think you mentioned that. To me, that reflects a lack of organization, energy and vision of the government of the Prime Minister. It's a little disappointing. I would think that would influence you, too. One reason we're here is to hear about your mandate. Could you comment on that, please?Official languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1735)[English]All right, you don't have the mandate letter, so we'll go back to the mandate letter from the previous minister, Madam Petitpas TaylorOfficial languages policyRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton CentreRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1735)[English]That's good. What was the first priority in that mandate letter? Official languages policyRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton CentreRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1735)[English]No, actually the first point was to pass, in full, the white paper. In the white paper, the number one point and concern expressed by the francophone community that we voted on was the fragmentation of power—that official languages are dispersed. You have a piece of it, the Heritage ministry and Treasury Board have some. We're saying that it needs to be under one minister, under Treasury Board. That was the number one priority and we don't see that. I don't know if you're even aware of that. Do you have any comment?Official languages policyTreasury Board SecretariatRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton CentreRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1735)[English]Yes, the fragmentation is a concern and it's still there. The Conservatives have put forth amendments to put the authority with the one minister and that was voted down in spite of the white paper's recommendation.Given what you said here about different ministers, would you not agree on the importance of having the Minister of Heritage come before the committee?Committee witnessesMinister of Canadian HeritageOfficial languages policyRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton CentreRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1735)[English]Thank you, Minister.Having it so fragmented means it's just a bit more challenging for us as a committee, as far as representing second-language minority rights is concerned.I have another question here. I'll just leave this with you as I'd be interested in your comments.It is about the situation in Quebec with the out-of-province English-speaking students and the fees doubling. I'm wondering if you could comment on that, please. Anglophones inside QuebecOfficial languages policyProvince of QuebecRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton CentreRandyBoissonnaultHon.Edmonton Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1735)[Translation]I come from a military family.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1835)[Translation]Will there be a vote?RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheDarrellSamsonSackville—Preston—Chezzetcook//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1845)[Translation]We know that the minister will be here next week. We are willing to add time since this is an important matter.The minister might defend himself by saying it is not his responsibility. We can also share our concerns with him and ask him questions.We understand what the Liberals said, but it is important to us to ask questions.Committee businessRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1720)[Translation]Many thanks to the witnesses for providing us with this information.Mr. Viglione, you mentioned competencies. Newcomers can't make use of their skills by working in fields for which they haven't been trained. For example, 20,000 doctors and 30,000 nurses aren't working in their fields. You also said that French-language teachers, for example, are unable to teach in Canada.What should the federal government do? The provinces, associations and unions, taken together, already represent a lot of bureaucracy. How can we move this issue forward? These people have come to Canada because of their skills to practise their professions and because they are francophones, but they're unable to practise their professions here.I'll ask Mr. Viglione to answer that question first, followed by Ms. Veronis.CredentialsEmployment and labourFrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsImmigration policyJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierFrancescoViglione//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1720)[Translation]Thank you very much.We are listening, Ms. Veronis.FrancescoViglioneLuisaVeronis//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1805)[Translation]Thank you.Ms. Veronis, you mentioned the opening of the immigration office in Cameroon. That's all very well, but the problem is that many applications are submitted online, and we seem to go around in circles when navigating the IRCC website. This makes things difficult. Here in Canada, I often find it difficult to do things online. It's a real problem.Do you have any idea how many people give up on applying for immigration because of these problems?Application processFrancophonesImmigration policyJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierLuisaVeronis//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1805)[Translation]Do people have the option of calling in and receiving help over the telephone?Application processFrancophonesImmigration policyLuisaVeronisLuisaVeronis//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1805)[Translation]You've also had problems with this, haven't you?Application processFrancophonesImmigration policyLuisaVeronisLuisaVeronis//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1805)[Translation]That's right. We really need to simplify this.You also talked about pre-departure services. Can you tell us more about that?FrancophonesImmigration policySettlement of immigrantsLuisaVeronisLuisaVeronis//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1805)[Translation]I think this program could be used to support the system.Mr. Viglione, do you have anything to add?FrancophonesImmigration policySettlement of immigrantsLuisaVeronisFrancescoViglione//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1220)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.Mr. Simard, you spoke briefly about the number of people from Africa who enrol in programs and want to receive their education here. You mentioned that about 36% of applications are accepted. One witness mentioned to us that several students have come to Canada when their applications have not been accepted, which is of great concern to us.Is the situation similar at New Brunswick Community College? What can we do to ensure that these students remain in the programs and have access to support services?AfricaForeign studentsFrancophonesImmigration policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheCyrilleSimard//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1225)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Simard.My next question is for the representatives of the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones.You reminded us that in 2009, grants were around $5,000, but they've since been cut in half. If you take inflation into account, the amount is even less. In 2009, I was a teacher. Back then, the amount allocated for each student was around $8,000, which was a very big increase.What happened? Can you tell us about these grants and the impact of their decrease?FrancophonesGrants and loans for studentsImmigration policyCyrilleSimardValérieMorand//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1225)[Translation]I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have very little time.What percentage of francophile or francophone immigrants enrol their children in francophone school board programs? Is it a large number? Is it a majority or a small minority?FrancophonesImmigration policyValérieMorandValérieMorand//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1000)[Translation]Good morning, everyone.Thank you very much, Commissioner.In your opening remarks, you said the following:[English]I've therefore urged the leaders of federal institutions to ensure that, in regions designated as bilingual for language-of-work purposes, work environments are conducive to the effective use of both official languages.Later, you mentioned the actual capacity of federal public servants to work in the official language of their choice.[Translation]My questions are fairly straightforward. Which federal institutions are those? Which regions are designated bilingual to work—FrancophonesImmigration policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1010)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.With respect to federal agencies, Mr. Théberge, could you give us a few examples? Does that also include the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or RCMP?FrancophonesImmigration policyOfficial languages policyPublic Service and public servantsRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1010)[Translation]How about, for example, transportation, airports?FrancophonesImmigration policyOfficial languages policyPublic Service and public servantsRaymondThébergeRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1010)[Translation]As for the designated bilingual regions, are they the big cities?Could you tell us what the bilingual regions are, particularly in British Columbia?FrancophonesImmigration policyOfficial languages policyRaymondThébergeRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1015)[Translation]I just wanted to clarify that, since you talked about the need to determine the effective use of a language, whether it be French or English. Could you tell me if this also applies to federal agencies in British Columbia?I know that federal agencies are required to provide services in French to francophones, but I'd like to know whether francophone workers also have the right to speak their language across Canada.FrancophonesImmigration policyOfficial languages policyRaymondThébergeRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1015)[Translation]Okay. I mainly have a western perspective. People really want to reinforce French here in British Columbia. Hundreds of thousands of students went to French primary and secondary school to learn and use the language. However, it's always a challenge for this community to develop, even though all those students have followed that path.Here, especially in Vancouver, other languages are widely spoken, such as Mandarin, Tagalog and Punjabi. Hundreds of thousands of people speak them.FrancophonesImmigration policyOfficial languages policyRaymondThébergeRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1015)[Translation]Mr. Théberge, you said that 4.4% was not enough. What would be a sufficient percentage for francophone immigration outside Quebec?FrancophonesFrancophones outside QuebecImmigration policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1015)[Translation]Thank you.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (0930)[Translation]On a point of order, Mr. Chair.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0930)[Translation]What Ms. Ashton says, whether in English or French, will be interpreted, won't it?RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0930)[Translation]Okay.Personally, I think the sound is as good for her as it is for everyone else. I think it's also a question of members' privileges. So it's a very difficult situation.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1005)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.Thank you to the witnesses as well.Mr. Desruisseaux, the Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité states that there is a mismatch between the country's real labour needs and the profiles of selected candidates. What is the source of this problem and, in your opinion, what corrective measures need to be taken?FrancophonesImmigration policyLabour shortageRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheAlainDesruisseaux//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1010)[Translation]I'm going to have to interrupt you, as I don't have much time.A witness told us at the last meeting that 90% of immigrants don't work in their field of expertise. Yet these people who come here are the cream of the crop in their countries. This situation is maddening, frustrating and discouraging. It's a loss for their country and a waste for us in Canada. I'd like to hear your comments on this.FrancophonesImmigration policyLabour shortageAlainDesruisseauxAlainDesruisseaux//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1010)[Translation]Let me give you a more specific example. In Canada, there are 20,000 doctors and over 30,000 nurses who don't work in the health care field. That's a real loss for us, given the shortage of doctors. These figures apply to Canada as a whole, but can you tell us if the situation is the same for francophone and francophile immigrants? FrancophonesImmigration policyLabour shortageAlainDesruisseauxAlainDesruisseaux//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1010)[Translation]Excuse me, but I only have a few seconds at my disposal.Doesn't the fact that skilled immigrants can't enter our professional communities discourage them from coming here? Doesn't that encourage them to immigrate elsewhere?FrancophonesImmigration policyLabour shortageAlainDesruisseauxAlainDesruisseaux//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (0945)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.Thank you very much to all the witnesses. The presentations were interesting. I had some technical difficulties, but I'm glad to be here virtually.My first question is for Ms. Meggs, formerly of the Quebec government.For the first time, we're hearing that we've reached our objective of 4.2% francophone immigration outside Quebec. What about the number of immigrants to Quebec? Are we meeting our targets? Is this still a problem? Are there too many? Can you talk a little more about the situation of francophone immigration in your province?FrancophonesImmigration policyProvince of QuebecRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheAnne-MichèleMeggs//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0950)[Translation]Thank you very much.My next question is for all the witnesses.According to the testimony we've heard, there are two main reasons why many university and college students are turned away. The first reason is that they don't have the financial resources to live here while they study. I understand that. The second reason is that they say they have no intention of returning home after their university studies. I find this a little bizarre. In reality, we want these students to continue their studies to the end, but if they are honest about their intentions, we reject them. It's a bit disconcerting.Do you think this is a problem?I'd like each witness to say a few words on the subject. We can start with Mrs. Sacko, from Accueil francophone du Manitoba.Do you think the system works well for immigrants who come here to study?Foreign studentsFrancophonesImmigration policyAnne-MichèleMeggsBintouSacko//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0955)[Translation]Six minutes goes by very quickly.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1235)[English]Thank you very much to the witnesses for their testimony. It's very interesting.The first question is for Mr. Gordon. Talking again about the regulations and affordability, I'm from the Vancouver area. The regulations add about $600,000 to the cost of the average house in Vancouver, which is a lot. You mentioned the housing envelope and how we're becoming more and more efficient, but that's forcing people to go into forced air climate and into air conditioning. For most of our history in the Lower Mainland, most houses haven't had air conditioning, but now we're being forced into that. You've touched on this quite a bit. Also, it's interesting, because forced air takes energy, so you're using more energy. It seems to be kind of.... We're trying to reduce consumption, yet we don't seem to be working in tandem, one hand with the other. I want to ask you to further elaborate on this and on the cost benefit to what is being done, and elaborate heavily on the cost, because people are finding it very challenging in many parts, especially our urban centres like the Lower Mainland, Toronto and other places, to be able to afford housing. Are we really hurting ourselves by what we're doing? When is it enough?Climate change and global warmingEnergy conservationHousingInfrastructurePeterSchiefkeVaudreuil—SoulangesKevinLee//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1235)[English]I didn't mean to address that question to you, Mr. Lee. The next one will be to Mr. Gordon. In one of the communities I represent, Pitt Meadows, in the Lower Mainland, we have a very important project for an underpass for the main artery going to the city where the CP Rail was going. It was intended to be under construction, but it looks like it's going to be pulled because of the cost escalation from about $63 million to now $200 million. Most of that is not in the actual construction; it's more in regulation, the ever-changing regulations and management. We're seeing how these really have an impact. I'm thinking about you, Mr. Gordon, and the trades, if we don't have this as jobs. What are your thoughts about this?Climate change and global warmingEnergy conservationInfrastructureKevinLeeMichaelGordon//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1630)[English] Thank you very much for your comments. It's the first time I've seen and heard from you in person.I can sense the frustration and exasperation you feel as you're reporting. There seems to be a trend I'm hearing and have heard on this side. I think of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. It just feels like they're being starved for funds and are not able to do their job and are not able to investigate. It feels like they're being stymied and blocked in every respect. Again, we heard from the Ethics Commissioner, who has now resigned just basically, it seems like, out of frustration. He said that the Liberal government just does not seem to be taking ethics seriously, and it's like, what's the use? I'm getting that sense also from your comments. He said that public shaming is the foundation of a system as far as ethics, and that's not working when you have constant breaches by the Prime Minister and others. It's just ongoing and ongoing.I'm just wondering. The Ethics Commissioner talked about public shaming. What hammer, if you want to call it a hammer...? What do you have to do to help enforce your policies as far as the freedom of information? Do you have any tools, or is it just basically bringing it up and complaining, and it's like you're being ignored?Access to informationPrivacy and data protectionJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilCarolineMaynard//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]Great.You commented that transparency is just not a priority for this government. I guess that's in light of what's been coming out in the past number of days and weeks with the Beijing Communist government's undermining our democracy, and now we have a rapporteur being brought forward. It seems to me to be just reinforcing what you're saying as far as transparency. That's our concern: that they're not interested in transparency and in the facts' being brought out. That's what's coming across with what we're seeing here in this very serious undermining of our democracy.I have a question. You mentioned 4,000 files brought forward that you're able to deal with. Are those complaints? For example, I received an email today from a constituent who sent an ATIP in eight months ago, and there's been no response. Would that be one of the 4,000? How do you come up with the number?Access to informationComplaintsPrivacy and data protectionCarolineMaynardCarolineMaynard//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1635)[English]Okay. Just going to Mr. Bains' point about the number of files and of requests.... I know, also being from British Columbia, that we found that, for example, one person—CarolineMaynardJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1635)[English]—did like one-third. That's hundreds of ATIPs. I'm just wondering if, perhaps, the first two or three are free, but afterwards there's maybe a little charge. I don't know.JohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (0940)[English] Thank you to all the witnesses for sharing their perspectives. It is appreciated.I want to read into the record some comments that the outgoing ethics commissioner made in a bombshell of an interview. Then I'm going to ask the different witnesses for commentary on how, from their perspective, this impacts the code.I'm just going to read some of these comments. This is from the interview with ethics commissioner Mario Dion. It says: The government needs to take ethics “more seriously” and that repeated breaches by senior Liberals during his tenure have undermined public confidence in the government....“The act has been there for 17 years for God's sake, so maybe the time has come to do something different so that we don't keep repeating the same errors.”...“These are not new rules. You can't make these mistakes, you make everyone look bad, and you make public trust decline by making these mistakes”...He said he had 140 presentations during his tenure, and thousands of attendees. He said, “that [this] did not prevent International Trade Minister Mary Ng”—who testified in this committee recently—“from telling a House committee”—that's us—“that it would be helpful if the commissioner's office offered 'additional' ethics training to political staff after no one in her office raised a flag when she [doled] out two [thousand dollars] to a...'close friend'.”He says—and this isn't very complimentary:“That's like if I drive in my car this afternoon and I drive through a red light and then [argue] with a (police) officer that it is too bad because I should have received training about red lights. It's a convenient excuse, in my view,” he said....Quoting recent polls showing the public's confidence in politicians is “not going in the right direction,” Dion said in the interview that the ethics breaches by senior Liberals over his tenure were certainly a factor and that “something has to be done” [so that they] show that they “are taking this seriously.”He says—and this applies also to the code: “Public shaming is the foundation of the system.”...The public is understandably frustrated at what appears to be a lack of accountability from law-breaking MPs. “No one's resigning, no one's forced to resign and no one is [even] shuffled. And there's no appearance of even any sort of accountability, beyond having to stand in front of that question period and say a quick mea culpa, [my fault]”.He continues: “It's really dissatisfying that these regimes work that way, and the solution has to lie with [a] culture of accountability within parliamentary democracies.”I'm coming to the end of his commentsA voice: I hope so.Mr. Marc Dalton: Well, I would understand why the member would hope so. Thank you, Liberal member. JohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]Thank you, Chair.Dion [has] also noted that the Conflict of Interest Act specifically states that respecting that law is a “condition of employment” for the public office holders it applies to. That means that in theory, anyone who breaches the act [should] lose their job.... But who is the boss of Liberal MPs and cabinet [ministers]? The prime minister, who has already broken ethics laws twice. “I don't think the crafters of the act envisaged the situation where a prime minister would be found in breach [of the act] himself.”...But who would you give the power to fire an MP, if not the prime minister or voters....We are just about at the end, again:According to Stedman, the fact that the prime minister was never sanctioned by his own party and caucus for his ethical breaches allowed ministers to go unpunished for their subsequent breaches....“If Trudeau is not going to hold himself accountable, and the party is not going to hold him accountable, well [then], he kind of has to not hold them accountable in return. It's kind of a quid pro quo with his...party members,” he said. “Trudeau's caucus failed the system.”JohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]My question—JohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]Well, maybe I'll....Thank you.JohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilMatthewGreenHamilton Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]Chair, can I just leave the question, and they can submit the answer?NancyVohlMatthewGreenHamilton Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English] I didn't realize that I'd have this right at the very end. Normally having a quick notification that I had 10 seconds would have allowed me at least to present the question.JohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1630)[English]Thank you.Thanks to all the witnesses for their comments. I'm following up Mr. Green's comment with a question to you, Mr. Conacher. He asked about a gold standard. You mentioned we weren't meeting any of the OECD standards—or not so much meeting standards as falling behind the rest of these countries.Can you elaborate on that, please?Best practicesCode of ethicsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilDuffConacher//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1635)[English]Again, to you, Mr. Conacher, what do you see as positive measures within this proposed code?Code of ethicsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductDuffConacherDuffConacher//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1635)[English]Thank you.DuffConacherDuffConacher//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1635)[English]Thank you.Ms. Vipond, we're moving from four years to two years, but you said you're not happy with that, at all. Can you express why? I would think you'd be somewhat happy. What are the big changes that bring you displeasure? Do you think it's a total gutting...a total difference between what they were doing beforehand, as opposed to now?Code of ethicsConflict of interest cooling-off periodsElection campaignsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductDuffConacherSiobhánVipond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1635)[English] You have also made some good points about the $40 and $80 per year limit. What do you suggest? You also suggest increasing it yearly, because I know that legislation moves on, and that can change.Just in the whole area of wining and dining, it can be quite expensive. I know that members of Parliament have a limit to how much we can spend for a meal if we go to a event, so there are limits that we also have.Can you make some comments on that? I know that Mr. Thurlow has said there shouldn't be any limits. Maybe I misheard you. What should the limits be and what should be put in the code regarding this?Code of ethicsHospitality offered to public office holdersLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductSiobhánVipondJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1710)[English] Thank you, Chair.I'm just going to a comment you made, Mr. Thurlow: that there are no real teeth in this code. Actually, the commissioner also said it. It's just reputational damage.This might not be received well by all the members here, but when you have a Prime Minister who has had three breaches of the ethics code, of ethics, and when we have all sorts of violations happening, the general public, they mix everything up, so there is a real deterioration in respect from the public towards politicians, which I think is well deserved as far as politicians go, from what we're seeing in this government. We need to raise that bar, obviously. It starts from the top. Unfortunately, it's failing at the top, and it's going all the way through.Can you give me some examples of where so far there have been contraventions that might be pushing this code? Can you give us some examples of what we've seen? I'll open that up to Mr. Conacher, too, or whoever.Code of ethicsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilW. ScottThurlow//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[English]Thank you for the comment.Again, Mr. Conacher, you mentioned a sliding scale, which is quite interesting. Going case-by-case and one to five years, is that manageable? Can you elaborate a bit on that?Maybe I'll also ask Ms. Vipond for some comments on how she might see a sliding scale, if that is at all appropriate.Code of ethicsConflict of interest cooling-off periodsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductPolitical staffDuffConacherJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[English]Okay.You have 30 seconds each.JohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilDuffConacher//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[English]That's great. Thank you very much.I have just a few moments here, Ms. Vipond.DuffConacherSiobhánVipond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[English] Thank you.SiobhánVipondJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1630)[English]Thank you.Mr. Stewart, when did you become the deputy minister for international trade?Conflict of interestGovernment contractsMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentNg, MaryJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilRobStewart//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]Okay. You said there were two sessions that were provided, for $23,000. Can you tell us how long each session was?Briefing sessionsConflict of interestGovernment contractsGovernment expendituresMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentNg, MaryRobStewartRobStewart//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]Can that information be provided to the committee?Briefing sessionsConflict of interestGovernment contractsGovernment expendituresMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentNg, MaryRobStewartRobStewart//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]Okay. That's something we're interested in knowing.Last year, you were testifying about the implementation of the Emergencies Act, and you said that the Minister of Public Safety was misunderstood when he said in his comments that the police asked for the implementation of the Emergencies Act. That's something they deny. The Ethics Commissioner says that Minister Ng has violated the ethics code. Do you think the Ethics Commissioner has misunderstood what the minister has done?Conflict of interestGovernment contractsMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentNg, MaryRobStewartRobStewart//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]So you don't agree or disagree that Minister Ng was in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act.Conflict of interestGovernment contractsMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentNg, MaryRobStewartRobStewart//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]Okay.There have been many less serious situations when ministers have stepped down. One that comes to mind when the Conservatives were in power was when one of our ministers had a $16—or maybe it was $18—orange juice. It was just about public perception and propriety. Just from the nature of your comments so far, it doesn't seem that you have any thoughts about whether or not the minister should resign.Conflict of interestGovernment contractsMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentNg, MaryResignation of MinisterRobStewartRobStewart//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]All right.Since the ethics breach by the minister has come to light, Liberal minister Ahmed Hussen used $93,000 in constituency funds—Conflict of interestGovernment contractsMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentNg, MaryRobStewartIqraKhalidMississauga—Erin Mills//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]Yes, I believe it does tie in. Thank you.This was a very similar situation, and I think it's very pertinent to what has happened here that $93,000 in constituency funds.... I will remind members that our budget is approximately $400,000, so it's a little less than a quarter of the budget, and I recognize that the Liberals find this a bit touchy—Conflict of interestGovernment contractsMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentPoints of orderRelevancyJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilGregFergusHon.Hull—Aylmer//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[English]Yes, part of the relevance is that we're talking about social media, and this company, which provided services to the minister, had only one follower on Twitter and no posts on Instagram. It just seems like an in-and-out, just an opportunity for providing funds to friends.This is what we're seeing across the board, and this is our concern. One of the reasons why we pushed for these meetings right here with Minister Ng is that this is not a one-off. This seems to be across the board. It's very concerning. Right now, we've just unanimously passed a motion on looking into the contracts to McKinsey, for $100 million, so we seem to be in agreement that there are some problems—Conflict of interestGovernment contractsMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentPoints of orderRelevancyJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilIqraKhalidMississauga—Erin Mills//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1635)[English]Thank you. We are the ethics committee. We're talking about contracts and about some serious breaches. I'm speaking about a trend. That's one of the reasons I brought this up. We're talking about this one minister who has spent a very significant amount of his budget on social media. We are seeing the same thing here with the Liberal minister's friends, very close friends, I would add. We have also seen this with McKinsey. We're hearing more about Liberal cabinet ministers and their staff, and how they're awarding contracts to relatives and friends. Do department officials advise against this? Conflict of interestGovernment contractsMinister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic DevelopmentNg, MaryJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilRobStewart//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1635)[English]I do appreciate your comment to Mr. Green regarding one possibility of even a box to check or some sort of verification. I think that would be very helpful. Thank you, Mr. Chair. RobStewartJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (0940)[English]Thank you very much for your comments, Commissioner. We've gone through a difficult time as a nation with COVID worldwide. A lot of money flowed from federal government coffers to assist. There was one contract that has received some attention. I would appreciate your comments on this one. It was for $237 million for ventilators. It was a sole-source contract for twice as much as the competition, so it was a lot of money.The problem with this is that the company—a new company—was owned by former member of Parliament Frank Baylis. In the 2019 election, he didn't continue, and it was just a number of months later. I'm not sure how the application of this code applies right here, but I wonder what your comments are about this situation, Mr. Baylis's company and even those who worked with him. Obviously, there are a lot of conversations. There's a lot of money and a lot of concern. He made a quote to the media, saying that he saw an opportunity to help and he took it. It seems like he helped himself and the company. This is a real concern. Can you talk a little about this right here?Baylis, FrankCode of ethicsGovernment contractsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductParliamentariansJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilNancyBélanger//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0940)[English]Okay. I have another example. It has to do with a lobbyist. I'm thinking of the Aga Khan Foundation, which has received tens of millions of dollars. I know that this is maybe a few years back, but still I feel that very significant breaches were made, and the public feels this also. It regards a trip that the Prime Minister accepted, receiving gifts and flights with all sorts of benefits. I wonder if you could comment on this and how the new code applies.Aga Khan IVCode of ethicsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductPrime MinisterTravelTrudeau, JustinNancyBélangerNancyBélanger//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]The foundation itself is a registered lobby. That's just a comment on that point.Charitable organizationsCode of ethicsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductPierre Elliott Trudeau FoundationNancyBélangerNancyBélanger//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]The code is non-statutory, and it's supposed to complement the Lobbying Act. What teeth does the code have?Code of ethicsLobbying ActLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductNancyBélangerNancyBélanger//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]It's reputational.NancyBélangerNancyBélanger//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]I'm going to throw you a softball question.NancyBélangerJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]Very quickly, what element or aspect of this new code would you say you most want to highlight as far as the benefit is concerned? If you can pick one thing, what are you most proud of or do you think is the best?Code of ethicsLobbying and lobbyistsLobbyists' Code of ConductJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilNancyBélanger//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (0945)[English]Thank you.NancyBélangerJohnBrassardBarrie—Innisfil//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1230)[English] Mr. Chair, on a point of order, I'm wondering, bearing in mind his connectivity issues, if he could make sure he speaks more slowly. That might help the interpreters also.AliEhsassiWillowdaleAliEhsassiWillowdale//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1310)[English]Thank you to the witnesses for their presentations.I'm wondering if both of you, if you have the chance, could make a comment on the impact of the Liberal government's positions and some of the decisions they've made on this whole conflict. I'm thinking of two things specifically. One is the transfer of drone technology to Turkey, which actually impacted the balance of power between Azerbaijan and the enclave. Could you comment on that?Next, this is more to do with LNG and fossil fuels. There is a reliance here, especially with Russia closing its doors on a lot of its exports to Europe. They need Azerbaijan. Europe is calling, asking Canada to come in with its exports, and we're just kind of waffling on that. I guess my question here is whether, if Canada exported more oil and facilities, that would cause less dependence on Azerbaijan, between Europe and that, and maybe moderate some of the tensions there. Could you comment on that?I'll leave that to both of you. Thank you. ArmeniaAzerbaijanBordersSecurityTransport corridorsDaveEppChatham-Kent—LeamingtonRobertAvetisyan//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1250)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.I realize that committee business is not progressing very quickly, since we are only on the second amendment. However, this is a very important and worthwhile discussion. I very much appreciated the comments made by my colleagues Mr. Housefather and Mr. Godin, along with everyone else.Everyone here agrees that the French language is in decline, and this affects us all. My colleague Mr. Vis and I see this in British Columbia, like everywhere else, and we want to better protect the French language. This is important to me.I also lived in Quebec a long time ago. I did my first three years of high school in English in Chibougamau, so I'm sensitive to the situation of anglophones in Quebec.I'm really torn about all this, because I know that being surrounded by a sea of anglophones makes francophones in Quebec more vulnerable. All of these things will influence my vote. It's important to look at both sides of the situation, and I just wanted to say that I'm grateful for this discussion.C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsClause-by-clause studyGovernment billsOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1125)[Translation]On a point of order.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1125)[Translation]I believe the minister's appearance is scheduled for the second hour. So I suggest that we wait.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1125)[Translation]The problem is that it would shorten the first hour. So I suggest that you not do that.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]Thank you very much.Buenos dias, Mr. Rodriguez.Do you think French is in decline in Canada, yes or no?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsFrenchGovernment billsOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigouchePabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]We don't have much time.C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]No, I need a yes or no.C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]Yes, I'm moving on to my next question.Mr. Rodriguez, I don't have much time.C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]So you don't want to answer that.C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]The bill contains a lot of fine words. It states that we will support francophones, for example. However, many witnesses told us that the bill didn't go far enough to preserve French.Do you think that Bill C-13 can be improved, yes or no?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]So that's a yes.C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]All right. Thank you very much, Minister.Are you open to amendments? You're responsible—C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]Okay.Do you have an idea of the financial implications of this bill for your department's budget and the budget in general?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]So you have no idea. We're somewhat disappointed—C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-MercierPabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[Translation]What we fear is that the Liberal government will make investments and get no results. We don't just want to expand the bureaucracy; we want to see changes made. That's very important. There are a lot more workers in immigration, for example, but performance has declined. So that's very disturbing. Canadians want to see results on the ground.C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigouchePabloRodriguezHon.Honoré-Mercier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1215)[Translation]Thank you very much.Thank you for your testimony, Minister.I'm a member from British Columbia, like Mr. Vis, who is with us virtually.I can tell you that we rely on francophone immigration in the west and across Canada, not just in Quebec. There's a lot of interest in it. You can see it particularly in our schools, where French immersion programs are very popular. So francophone immigration is essential.You said that francophone immigration had increased to 4%. Do you have any statistics on how many of those immigrants have settled in the west, in Alberta or British Columbia, for example?Do you have the data, or do you just have the overall percentage?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheSeanFraserHon.Central Nova//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1215)[Translation]Okay, thank you.Last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard testimony on the lack of services for newcomers. The federal government was missing in action. Consequently, in our region, the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique and the provincial government, among others, took over, together with our riding offices, to bridge that major gap.The department now has way more officials to process applications, and there are fewer applications than there were before the pandemic, but waiting times are increasingly long, which is very hard for people trying to immigrate.Could you tell us a little about what you're doing to expedite the process? I know that many people want to know this because they're still expressing their frustration at our offices. I'd mainly like you to tell us about immigrants from francophone countries.BacklogsC-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsImmigration and immigrantsOfficial languages policySeanFraserHon.Central NovaSeanFraserHon.Central Nova//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1220)[Translation]Thank you.You mentioned productivity, and that's very important because the bureaucracy is as slow as molasses.If I have a few seconds left—C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policySeanFraserHon.Central NovaRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1220)[Translation]Okay.In that case, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1255)[Translation]Thank you.I see it's nearly time to stop. So I'm going to yield the floor to my colleague Mr. Godin.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1240)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.[English] I must say that I'm very disappointed to see this motion being brought forward by the Liberals. First of all, I think that as a committee we should apologize to the important witnesses who have been invited here. We didn't finish hearing the first panel, and then there's a second panel that we're missing. This motion has essentially hijacked the process. We're hearing even less. I guess I'm really disappointed because for month after month, we heard witnesses coming here and providing valuable input to this committee from coast to coast, from every province and from Quebec. The least we could do is take them seriously and make sure that what we put forward is not just a report, but an excellent report. That's what we want to do.I know the Conservative Party and Conservative members on this committee want to have a bill that is excellent. What is going on here? I have to ask myself why the Liberals would do this. It would seem like they're being supported by the NDP, but time will tell. Why would the Liberals just try to ramrod this report? I think one reason is that we heard many testimonies from many witnesses who shared their frustration on how the bill has been delayed year after year and nothing happened. Now it seems to me that what the Liberals wanted to do was bring out a report and get it through right now, so that they can maybe say that the reason this has all been delayed for these years has nothing to do with them. They wash their hands clean of all the incompetence and delay. They speak out of both sides of their mouth in support of the bill, but they show us something else. I think that's what this motion seems to be. They're trying to focus the blame. I also think that this motion is a way of maybe hiding their own ministers by trying to pack them all into one hour. They are the ones who know the files and they can best answer the questions that will help us with the report. This is very important.It seems to me that a lot of this is show and limiting the amount of time. It is very disrespectful to the committee and to Parliament to say that it has to be done by December 1—and we're losing this whole meeting today—or we're going to give it to the power of the chair to do what he wants to do with the amendments. This is just inappropriate. It's railroading the committee. This is not the way the committee needs to be functioning—in a way that's collaborative, which we have been doing. As has been mentioned, all the members here want to see this bill go forward.(1245)[Translation]Now I'd like to turn it over to my colleague, Mr. Godin.C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsMotionsOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (6005)[English] Thank you. We support the subamendments of Mr. Beaulieu—not on number 5. It is a little confusing, and my colleague here, Jacques Gourde, referred to it when he talked about amendments and subamendments. Just as a commentary on this, it's very disappointing because this committee was working very well. This seems to be quite intentional by the Liberals, to blow up the whole process. This is a very important bill. The Conservatives are very supportive of it, and we wanted to do something good, yet we've wasted the last meeting. We had witnesses who are not here now, who were not able to testify. We had more today, and in the meantime we have a drop-dead date, according to the motion from MP Serré, of December 1, saying that if it doesn't work out, we'll pass it on to the chair and he's going to make all the amendments.To me, this is a real lack of respect for all the witnesses over the years who have been waiting for something excellent. We want to see an excellent bill being brought forward. I think we all do on this committee, so it's very disappointing that we're having to go through this whole process because of this motion.It would seem to me that the Liberals are quite happy to have this debate going on about these subamendments so that they can say, “Oh, the opposition is just filibustering, and we'd better take care of it.” They're just trying to turn the tables around, when they have basically exploded this whole report.The subamendments say that we are going to expand the initial motion in terms of having ministers coming here for longer. The initial motion was to have all three of them at one time during one hour. It is disrespectful to the committee, to the Canadian public, to Quebec francophones and to those who speak French outside of Quebec. This whole process is very disappointing. I put the blame squarely on the shoulders on the Liberals, and it appears to be supported by the NDP, but we'll find out.That's just the commentary I have right now. Thank you.[Translation]I'm really disappointed with what is happening here with this motion, which was originally moved by the Liberals. Everything seems to have been engineered to blow up the work of the committee and this study on the bill.Amendments and subamendmentsC-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsMotionsOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (34705)[Translation]We could also withdraw the amendment.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (34725)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.I am a little concerned that we are wasting time discussing dates. We are talking about November 17, November 24 and December 1. We're debating dates and wasting time. It would be much more efficient if the subamendment would specify the number of hours and the number of witnesses that will appear before the committee so we can continue. We missed an opportunity to hear testimony because we had to have this debate.Of course, we'll have to do our clause‑by‑clause. That's normal. We've done several clause‑by‑clause studies here, but right now it looks like we're going to have to run on a very strict schedule, like a train, under Mr. Serré's motion. On such and such a date, we'll have to do this; on such and such a date, we'll have to do that. It all has to be done before December 1, and that will affect your powers, Mr. Chair.In other studies, we've talked about the government's response to COVID‑19 and the health of interpreters. We have a responsibility to hear witnesses who have already been called. We need to do that work. Then we can move on to the clause‑by‑clause.Thank you.Amendments and subamendmentsC-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsMotionsOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (39620)[Translation]Mr. Chair... RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1240)[Translation]Thanks to the witnesses.Mr. Taillon, which of the amendments that Quebec has requested do you think are inevitable or essential?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigouchePatrickTaillon//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1245)[Translation]How can we impose language clauses on Quebec?Mr. Bastarache seems to disagree with Quebec on that point. What do you think?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyProvince of QuebecPatrickTaillonPatrickTaillon//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1245)[Translation]Are Quebec's demands compatible with the needs of francophone communities outside Quebec?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsOfficial languages policyProvince of QuebecPatrickTaillonPatrickTaillon//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1245)[Translation]Thank you.PatrickTaillonRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1240)[Translation]You've answered my prayers after months of entreaties.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1240)[Translation]I am pleased to be back with the committee again.Thanks to all the witnesses for being here today.I'm a member from British Columbia, as is my colleague Mr. Vis. It's difficult for me not to emphasize the importance of French in our history in the west. The problem doesn't arise only in Quebec and New Brunswick, but also in the west.On the other side of the Fraser River, the first capital was Fort Langley, where there were many coureurs de bois. It's part of who we are historically. We don't want to see the use of French decline in our province or in the West. It's very important to preserve it, and I thank you for your efforts to do just that.French used to be spoken in the countryside, in churches and in the rural communities where there were many farmers. Today, life is much more urban. It's really a struggle to preserve the use of French.Mr. Laberge, you represent the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine. You're aware of the huge importance of French in education, training and schools. Several aspects in these areas need to be improved.Can you explain to us how the property disposal process works? Can you give us concrete examples?What happens with surplus buildings?Can you tell us about what works and what doesn't?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsGovernment billsGovernment facilitiesOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheAlainLaberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1245)[Translation]That might in fact have helped to keep some French-language community centres or education centres going .What percentage of federal funds earmarked for francophones in Manitoba actually get to them?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsFrancophones outside QuebecGovernment billsManitobaOfficial languages policyAlainLabergeAlainLaberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1245)[Translation]That's also the case in British Columbia. We don't know exactly where the money earmarked for program improvements goes.How could we do a better job of welcoming newcomers into francophone minority communities?C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other ActsFrancophones outside QuebecGovernment billsOfficial languages policyAlainLabergeRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1640)[English]Thank you for sharing that information, Ms. Hall.I'm wondering about measuring the effectiveness of the supporting Black Canadian communities initiative. Can you tell us how you do that?Black CanadiansPerformance managementSupporting Black Canadian Communities InitiativeRobertMorrisseyEgmontKarenHall//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1640)[English]I am hearing that you are meeting the objectives. Is the program meeting all the objectives that you've laid out?Ms. Hall, I'll let you direct how you want the questions to be answered.Black CanadiansPerformance managementSupporting Black Canadian Communities InitiativeSandraCharlesKarenHall//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1640)[English]Could you maybe share what the administrative costs are of the program? Obviously less administration and getting more into the field is really important, so can you maybe talk about that?Black CanadiansPerformance managementSupporting Black Canadian Communities InitiativeSandraCharlesKarenHall//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1645)[English]How long does it take for organizations, once they've been approved, to get the funding? What is the time frame?Black CanadiansSupporting Black Canadian Communities InitiativeKatieAlexanderKarenHall//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1645)[English]I mean the whole process from the time of applying or from the cut-off time and then for the approval. How does that work?Black CanadiansSupporting Black Canadian Communities InitiativeKarenHallKarenHall//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1645)[English]You mentioned that 705 grants had been approved, if I'm correct. What is the average amount given for a grant? What is the range?Black CanadiansSupporting Black Canadian Communities InitiativeKatieAlexanderKarenHall//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1605)[English]Thank you to all the witnesses for sharing your experiences and your insights. It's very much appreciated. Last week we heard from witnesses in this standing committee testimony who said that it's not enough for government to throw money at them as if anti-Black racism is over. Do you agree with this sentiment? What are some ways that government can better support Black Canadian communities?I'm going to give each of the witnesses 30 seconds or so to share some thoughts on that. I'll start off with Mr. Southwell. Black CanadiansRacial equalitySupporting Black Canadian Communities InitiativeRobertMorrisseyEgmontRustumSouthwell//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1605)[Translation]Thank you very much.Mr. Jean-François, do you have any comments?RustumSouthwellLouis-EdgarJean-François//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1610)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Jean-François. I now invite amanuel melles to comment. Louis-EdgarJean-Françoisamanuelmelles//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1610)[English]Thank you very much.I have just one more. I guess I'll just throw this out there: Over the past number of years—the past decades—with immigration increasing, we're just seeing a great shift, as far as even the visible minorities, who in many areas are becoming majorities. I'm from the Vancouver area.I guess my question is this: Is that beneficial? Are we seeing something really positive as far as affecting Black Canadians, or has there been no change? We have gone through a massive change over the past, say, generation. You've all lived here for some time, so maybe I'll just throw it out to one of you—because that's all the time we have—for a quick commentary.Mr. Southwell.Black CanadiansSupporting Black Canadian Communities InitiativeVisible minoritiesamanuelmellesRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1140)[English]Thank you very much to all the witnesses for sharing your testimony. Being from British Columbia, it's nice to hear from the indigenous representatives here.Our vice-chair, member of Parliament Stephanie Kusie, would have loved to be here, but her flight was cancelled. She was stranded and won't be here until tomorrow.Ms. Silva with the Squamish Nation, I'll just commend your people for the vision that they have for their people. I'm wondering if you could share a little bit about how the rents and cost of housing are determined right now with the stock that you do have on the reserve. Is that a band decision? Help us understand that. Also could you expand a bit more on how extra supports and extra housing come into play?HousingHousing Accelerator FundIndigenous peoplesIndigenous reservesRobertMorrisseyEgmontSarahSilva//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1140)[English] Thank you very much. I appreciate that.Chief Patrick, I visited your lands a few years ago when I was an MLA and toured the Innergex project and then had barbeque at the band office. I just appreciated the hospitality.Could you give me an idea of what percentage of your people are on reserve as opposed to off reserve and what some of the housing needs are for those off reserve? What is happening there with those members?HousingHousing Accelerator FundIndigenous peoplesIndigenous reservesSarahSilvaPatrickMichell//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[English]Thank you very much.Obviously, we're all very sorry about what's happened in Lytton, and it's frustrating how long this has been taking. I know that Brad Vis has been advocating.I'll turn now to Ms. Celeste Hayward. The housing mix with the different projects that you have going is very impressive. How does that work? Do you have to be indigenous to rent one of the projects or is there a mix?I personally am a member of Métis Nation B.C. I'm wondering if you could talk a little bit about Métis Nation B.C. and any housing projects that they're involved in.HousingHousing Accelerator FundIndigenous peoplesRental housingPatrickMichellCelesteHayward//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1145)[English]Thank you.That's okay. I'll cede my time.CelesteHaywardRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1705)[Translation]Thank you to the witnesses for their very informative remarks.[English]I'm from the Vancouver area, and one of the challenges there is that we have a lot of old-stock rental apartments. Actually, very little has been built since the 1970s. They are purpose-built rentals. In the private sector it seems as though there has been a real tension among those who have invested, who have made the buildings, with rent controls, so they're not willing to do maintenance or improvements. Very little stock has been built since then. I know there is that tension between those who build it for the private sector and also affordable housing. How do we navigate this tension between providing the affordable housing and at the same time having incentives for the private sector to be involved and to actually invest?It's easy to say, “The government can do this. The government can do that,” but we want to get the private sector involved and individuals involved in investing, so how can we do that as far as some of the rent controls go and at the same time really incentivize individuals to make affordable housing?Do you have any ideas? Nobody is jumping in. HousingHousing Accelerator FundReal estateRental housingRobertMorrisseyEgmontJeffMorrison//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1710)[English]Does anybody else want to step in?JeffMorrisonÉricCimon//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1710)[Translation]Thank you.[English]I'll go on to the next question. This might be more for the Canadian Real Estate Association. I'm wondering what the percentage is of Canadians who own versus rent. Of those who own, what percentage have mortgages as opposed to owning outright?Piggybacking on that would be the challenges with the current government programs to help first-time buyers to get into the market. Home ownershipHousingHousing Accelerator FundÉricCimonRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1625)[Translation]Thank you very much for your comments.As of February 8 last, more than 36 complaints had been filed with the Commissioner of Official Languages concerning the announcement that the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Shaun Fraser, made in English only during a press conference. Why wasn't the minister informed that this would be a problem? What will you do to prevent it from happening again?Has the Treasury Board asked you to rectify the situation?ComplaintsDepartment of Citizenship and ImmigrationFrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-Cartier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1625)[Translation]It's for the Department of Citizenship and Immigration people.JoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-Cartier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[Translation]Thank you.Historically, the Canadian government has never met the 4.4% francophone immigration target it set for itself. How does your minister explain that failure?FrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsMichèleKingsleyCorinnePrince//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[Translation]Thank you very much, Ms. Prince. I have only four minutes left.Thank you for that information. Please forward any further comments you might have to us.This target has been around for nearly 20 years, since 2003. As we've said, it's 4.4% of francophone immigration within the francophone minority community.Have you conducted any studies to determine whether the target can help slow the decline in Canada's francophone population? That's my first question. Second, have you conducted any studies to determine whether those targets are enough to increase the percentage of francophones in the country?These are important questions. Do you have any internal studies on this target?FrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsCorinnePrinceJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-Cartier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1710)[Translation]I would like to follow up on what Mr. Boulerice and Mr. Gourde were saying.It's becoming increasingly difficult to help people in our riding offices. It's taking hours, weeks and even months of waiting. It's definitely affecting francophone immigrants too. This has to be dealt with.We are being told that the problems are caused by COVID‑19, but that's been two years now. Today, we're talking about Ukraine and Afghanistan. There are always crises somewhere in the world. This situation is unacceptable not only for us, the MPs, but for all Canadians. I know that you are spokespersons and are not personally responsible, but it's important for you to transmit this message so that something can be done about it.On February 9, the Commissioner of Official Languages stated that: […] we're supposed to reach the 4.4% target by 2023, but obviously we're not going to get there. This means that over 75,000 francophone immigrants who we could have welcomed to Canada, outside of Quebec, will not be coming.Are you in agreement with this figure with respect to the number of immigrants we could have received and who will now not be coming?FrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierCorinnePrince//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1710)[Translation]Ms. Prince, my question is a simple one: do you agree, yes or no, with the Official Languages Commissioner, when he mentioned 75,000 people?FrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsLanguage policyCorinnePrinceCorinnePrince//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]Perhaps you could answer my question later. I will now move on to another question.The media have been reporting that immigration applications from francophone Africans had been refused. We have discussed this topic already.Is there a structural problem at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration?How are you going to resolve the African immigrants problem?Department of Citizenship and ImmigrationFrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsCorinnePrinceCorinnePrince//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]Thank you very much.MichèleKingsleyMichèleKingsley//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]I don't want to be rude, but I have more than one question to ask and there's not much time available to me.I'd like to talk about British Columbia, where I am a member of Parliament.British ColumbiaFrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsMichèleKingsleyMarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple Ridge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]In the report entitled “English and French: Towards a substantive equality of official languages in Canada,” it was established that immigration was a priority for the development of francophone minority communities.Can you tell us how many francophone immigrants were admitted to Canada, and more specifically in British Columbia, over the past five years? Do you have these figures at hand, or could you have them sent to us?British ColumbiaFrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsMarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeCorinnePrince//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]Thank you very much.Each province has a 4.4% target to meet for francophone immigration, with a view to enhancing the vitality of the French language everywhere in Canada. That's very important. I'm looking…British ColumbiaFrancophonesImmigration and immigrantsCorinnePrinceCorinnePrince//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]Okay, thank you.CorinnePrinceJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-Cartier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1650)[Translation]Thank you.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-Cartier//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1650)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.Thanks to the witnesses for being here.I'd like to start off by discussing immersion, which is a very good way to promote French outside Quebec. However, the demand for immersion programs is much greater than what's being offered.I know that $184 million is available over five years, but that's not a large amount if you divide it up. I'm a member from British Columbia. Based on my calculations, that will only pay the salaries of three dozen teachers a year. The demand is much greater than that.Ms. Boyer, would you please tell us how the funding is allocated among immersion programs? Can you also tell us about teacher training in 45 seconds? I'll have more questions for you.FrenchImmersion coursesLanguage trainingOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheJulieBoyer//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1655)[Translation]Thank you.I know it's not coming out of your pocket, but it's a large investment, considering the great demand.FrenchImmersion coursesLanguage trainingOfficial languages policyJulieBoyerJulieBoyer//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1655)[Translation]Precisely. That's a good political answer.I have another question. When Mélanie Joly left the Department of Canadian Heritage, she took the official languages component with her, which led to the creation of the minister of state position, which Ms. Petitpas Taylor inherited. That divided up the responsibilities.What are the respective official language responsibilities of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of Official Languages?FrenchOfficial languages policyOversight mechanismJulieBoyerJulieBoyer//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1655)[Translation]I see.FrenchOfficial languages policyJulieBoyerJulieBoyer//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1655)[Translation]Thank you.Delays in processing admission applications have been reported in the media. More than 1.8 million files are pending processing as a result of pandemic-related factors.According to the minister, how many of those files concern potential francophone immigrants?Can you answer that question, Mr. Linder?FrenchImmigration and immigrantsOfficial languages policyJulieBoyerGlenLinder//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1655)[Translation]Would you please send it to the committee?FrenchOfficial languages policyGlenLinderRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1655)[Translation]It would be good if you could send them.Thank you.FrenchOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1625)[Translation]Thank you very much to the witnesses. I'm happy to see them, especially Ms. Crist.Ms. Christ, your efforts at the federation, which I believe is celebrating its 75th anniversary, are truly laudable, and I congratulate you on your labours. You work tirelessly for the francophones and francophiles of British Columbia. Padminee Chundunsing testified here last year, and you took up the torch during the pandemic when her term ended.I little time and many questions. My next question will be for Mr. Power.Mr. Power, what specific and ongoing measures can we anticipate from the Supreme Court's decision? What exactly will we see that isn't merely a continuation of the present situation.British ColumbiaFrenchOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheMarkPower//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1630)[Translation]Thank you very much.MarkPowerRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1640)[Translation]Mr. Commissioner, thank you for your comments.The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie‑Britannique won their case before the Federal Court of Appeal, against Employment and Social Development Canada regarding employment contract agreements. The court stated that the federal government had failed to meet its linguistic obligations.How should the new Official Languages Act address this problem?Language of workOfficial Languages ActOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1640)[Translation]Does this decision have any negative repercussions?Language of workOfficial Languages ActOfficial languages policyRaymondThébergeRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1640)[Translation]Thank you.Do you think the government could have been proactive on this issue?Official Languages ActOfficial languages policyRaymondThébergeRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1640)[Translation]Would it be a good idea to strengthen the linguistic obligations of other positions, in addition to those of the Governor General and Lieutenant Governors and, if so, what are those positions?Language of workOfficial Languages ActOfficial languages policyRaymondThébergeRaymondThéberge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1640)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.I thank all the witnesses for their testimony, which is fascinating.Last week, one of our witnesses spoke to the importance of the territoriality principle in protecting a language.Mr. Lepage, earlier you said that the number of towns in Saskatchewan had gone from 80 to around 12. My family is from northern Alberta, which also has many towns, farms and large families. These days, families are not as big because fewer people are needed in the farming community than before.More students want to learn French and continue to live in a francophone setting, but that's more in urban areas.You've already mentioned this, but could you elaborate on the importance of protecting the language in educational institutions? I am not talking about churches and small committees, but educational institutions at various levels.Educational institutionsFrenchOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRogerLepage//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1645)[Translation]Let me add that the provinces, which pay teachers' salaries, are not really inclined to build schools for just a few students. It's really a big challenge. In British Columbia, for example, there's—Educational institutionsFrenchOfficial languages policyRogerLepageRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1645)[Translation]Is my time up already, Mr. Chair?RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1620)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.I would like to thank all the guests for their excellent presentations.For several years now, the Liberal government has been promising to introduce a bill to modernize the Official Languages Act. It finally did so at the end of the last parliamentary session, knowing that an election was coming. The bill therefore did not go through. During the election campaign, Mr. Trudeau promised to reintroduce such a bill within the first 100 days of his term, but we have now got to 140 days.The government has been dragging its feet for years and I wonder how this has negatively affected francophone communities. How much of a difference would it have made if the Official Languages Act had been modernized sooner? I know that it's still a good idea to modernize it, and that it will be eventually, but the government keeps saying that it will do it, and then puts it off until later.In short, has this had a negative impact on francophone communities?FrenchOfficial Languages ActOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1620)[Translation]It's for anyone. Let's start with Mr. Rousseau, followed by Mr. Boivin.RenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheGuillaumeRousseau//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1620)[Translation]What are your thoughts on this, Mr. Termote?GuillaumeRousseauMarcTermote//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1625)[Translation]Thank you.Do you have any comments, Mr. Boivin?MarcTermoteRenéArseneaultMadawaska—Restigouche//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1715)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.Mr. Termote, I've always thought immigration was to blame for the decline of French in the Montreal area, but I was heartened to hear you talk of improvement.I don't quite understand how there can be a decline in the face of improvement. Are cultural networks, music, Netflix and movies having major repercussions? Are they causing people to become anglicized? Could you please talk more about that?AnglophonesCulture and creativityFrenchMontréalOfficial languages policyRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheMarcTermote//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC): (1540)[Translation]I nominate Mr. Beaulieu, from the Bloc Québécois, for the position of second vice‑chair.Committee businessElection of the Chair and Vice-ChairsOrganization meetingNancyVohlNancyVohl//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/35909MarcDaltonMarc-DaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservative CaucusBritish Columbia//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/DaltonMarc_CPC.jpgInterventionMr. Marc Dalton: (1645)[Translation]Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.Shouldn't we have these motions in both official languages, so we can read them? Is there a way to handle that?PatriciaLattanzioSaint-Léonard—Saint-MichelRenéArseneaultMadawaska—RestigoucheINTERVENTIONParliament and SessionDiscussed TopicProcedural TermCommitteePerson SpeakingParticipation TypeSearchResults per pageOrder byTarget search languageSide by SideMaximum returned rowsPagePUBLICATION TYPE