SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 156

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 8, 2023 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 156 - Feb/8/23
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • Feb/8/23 3:00:56 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-13 
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement that I know will get a reaction out of the Bloc Québécois MPs. I fundamentally believe that the Bloc Québécois is not concerned one bit about the fate of French in Canada. The Bloc is concerned about the fate of French in Quebec, certainly. However, they do not give a damn about francophone minorities across the country. It is the federal government's job to be there for francophones across the country, just like we are there for francophones in Quebec. We will continue to be there and we will always stand up for our official languages.
114 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 156 - Feb/8/23
Mr. Alain Therrien
  • Feb/8/23 3:17:17 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, in response to a question from the Bloc member from La Pointe-de-l'Île, the Prime Minister said about Bloc members that “they do not give a damn about francophone minorities across the country.” I have to say that was unparliamentary language and, as everyone would agree, absolutely false. I therefore demand an apology from the Prime Minister.
64 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 156 - Feb/8/23
Mr. Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable, CPC)
  • Feb/8/23 4:16:32 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I too wish to speak to this question of privilege, because I believe that my privileges as a parliamentarian were also breached during this morning's caucus meeting. My francophone colleagues in the Conservative caucus and I unfortunately did not have access to interpretation during the meeting. The current situation on the Hill is no secret. Last October, Linda Ballantyne, president of the International Association of Conference Interpreters for the region of Canada, said the following to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs: Canada did conduct a survey dating back to December 2021, I think it was. Measuring the amount of time spoken in Parliament by different parliamentarians of different languages, indeed we found that English has predominated and French has been snuffed out. That is the reality in Parliament, because most of our colleagues use English as their primary language to communicate, share their opinions and make speeches. Unfortunately, when a group of colleagues get together, the discussions tend to occur mainly in English. Unfortunately, that is what happened this morning in our caucus meeting. I want to commend the interpreters who were there for their offer. They came out of their booth and offered to provide interpretation services at the back of the room for those who wanted them. Unfortunately, that is not ideal. That is not the way to conduct a meeting, hold debates and have normal discussions. We cannot have a caucus meeting and make some of the members go to the back of the room so they can have access to interpretation services. I therefore wholeheartedly support the question of privilege raised by the House leader for the official opposition. I want to raise the same question of privilege because I think that my privilege of being able to communicate with my colleagues was also breached by these technical difficulties. We need to have a plan B. Meetings must take place at the scheduled time and proceed normally with the possibility of access to interpretation services and interpreters and, especially, to the equipment that makes those services possible. Mr. Speaker, I hope you will find that the question of privilege raised by my colleague is fair and you will side with him.
372 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border