Hon. René Cormier: Good afternoon, minister. Welcome to the Senate.

Minister, given that the Constitution guarantees the equitable representation of regions in the Senate and that you stated in this chamber that it is important that minority language communities be properly represented as senators are appointed;

Furthermore, given that there is a constitutional convention that francophone and Acadian communities have the right to representation in the Senate;

Given the constitutional specificity of New Brunswick on language rights and considering also the economic and social inequalities between the northern and southern parts of our province;

Finally, given that the seat of Acadian senator Paul McIntyre, who retired in 2019, has not been filled, depriving the regions of Restigouche and Chaleur in northern New Brunswick of representation in the upper chamber;

When will the Prime Minister recommend to the Governor General of Canada the appointment of a francophone senator from northern New Brunswick who will represent the interests of this region?

Hon. René Cormier: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages in relation to its study on the application of the Official Languages Act be extended from June 15, 2023, to December 31, 2025.

[English]