SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 334

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 18, 2024 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 334 - Jun/18/24
Mrs. Julie Vignola (Beauport—Limoilou, BQ)
  • Jun/18/24 2:59:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the federal government is slipping again when it comes to the French language. Canada Post is hiring unilingual anglophone mail carriers in Belœil and in Saint‑Rémi. Canada Post claims that people do not have to speak French to deliver the mail. Let us remind them that in Quebec, we work in French. We will not tolerate Canada Post anglicizing the workplace of Quebec employees. It is just further evidence that the Charter of the French Language should be paramount. Knowledge of French is essential in Quebec. Will the minister immediately set Canada Post straight?
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Context: House Hansard - 334 - Jun/18/24
Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Lib.)
  • Jun/18/24 3:00:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the chance to remind the entire House that all federal institutions, including Crown corporations like Canada Post, are subject to the Canadian government's Official Languages Act. The good news is that this act was strengthened in the past few years. For the first time in this country's history, this act and the Canadian government recognize that we must defend the French language throughout Canada, but especially in Quebec. This is everyone's responsibility. It is the responsibility of the Canadian government. What is more, we have a multi-billion dollar plan to help communities across the country.
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Context: House Hansard - 334 - Jun/18/24
Mr. Mario Beaulieu (La Pointe-de-l'Île, BQ)
  • Jun/18/24 3:00:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, by hiring unilingual anglophone employees, Canada Post is undermining the right of all its employees in Quebec to work in French. This issue is putting the reformed Official Languages Act to the test. Let us not forget that Quebec and the Liberals reached a compromise that does not require federal corporations to comply with the Charter of the French Language. Canada Post is using that compromise to anglicize its workplaces. Does the minister realize that this is further proof that, reform notwithstanding, the Official Languages Act still promotes the anglicization of Quebec?
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Context: House Hansard - 334 - Jun/18/24
Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Lib.)
  • Jun/18/24 3:01:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, for the first time in this country's history, the new Official Languages Act recognizes that French is in jeopardy in Quebec and that it must be protected across the country, but especially in Quebec. I have already answered that question. I made it clear that all Crown corporations are subject to the same treatment. I have a few seconds left, so, on behalf of all members, I want to thank the latest cohort of pages, who will soon be leaving us, for their outstanding service over the past year.
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Context: House Hansard - 334 - Jun/18/24
Mr. Mario Beaulieu (La Pointe-de-l'Île, BQ)
  • Jun/18/24 6:52:04 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his French, and I salute all Franco-Manitobans. We have heard several Liberal ministers say that they are going to take action to protect French in Quebec and that they recognize that French is in decline in Quebec. However, an analysis of the public accounts reveals that 94% of official language funding programs in Quebec are used to strengthen English and are paid to anglophone institutions and lobby groups. Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed in the action plan for official languages 2023-28. Does my colleague think that continuing to contribute to the anglicization of Quebec will strengthen French outside Quebec?
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Context: House Hansard - 334 - Jun/18/24
Hon. Dan Vandal
  • Jun/18/24 6:53:00 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, Canada is undeniably a bilingual country. I am proud to represent francophone and Franco-Métis communities in Saint-Boniface and Saint-Vital. That said, it is hard to make sure that the French language progresses in Manitoba. We need schools and early childhood education. We need more investments to ensure that the francophone community can continue to grow and contribute to our society. I am not very familiar with the reality in Quebec, but I do know that the French language is under threat across Canada and that we need to make a concerted effort to expand the francophone space.
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