Senator Simons: Of course, I would.

Senator Simons: With pleasure.

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Simons, I’m sorry, but before you answer, your time is expired. Are you asking for five minutes to respond?

Senator Simons: I very much hope it’s us.

Senator LaBoucane-Benson: Quickly, colleague, is the minister in this chamber? At the end of the day, who is responsible for this chamber? Is it us or is it the House of Commons?

Senator Dawson: There is a question, senator. It’s not to you because I know I would have a long answer. What happened between last year and this year that we do not want to listen to people talk about a very important subject?

An Hon. Senator: Is there a question?

The Hon. the Speaker: You have one minute.

Senator Plett: I am.

Some Hon. Senators: Question.

The Hon. the Speaker: It was moved by the Honourable Senator Gold, seconded by Senator Gagné, that in accordance with rule 10-11(1) — may I dispense?

Senator Dean: Of course.

The Hon. the Speaker: Are senators ready for the question?

Senator Plett: Will Senator Dean take a question?

The Hon. the Speaker: I see two senators rising. Do we have agreement on a bell?

The Hon. the Speaker: Those opposed to the motion who are in the Senate Chamber will please say “nay.”

The Hon. the Speaker: In my opinion, the “yeas” have it.

And two honourable senators having risen:

Hon. Claude Carignan: Would Senator Cormier take another question?

Senator Carignan: Senator Cormier, you understand, of course, the importance of defending both official languages. Any minute now the House of Commons will be voting to refer the bill to a committee following second reading stage.

Over the next few days, the House of Commons committee should be starting to study the provisions of the bill to modernize the Official Languages Act; the debate will be held first in the House of Commons and then in the Senate.

Doesn’t the committee have other important topics to study on official languages, to ensure that the government respects both of our official languages?