SoVote

Mr. Joël Godin (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, CPC)

May/20/22 10:13:30 a.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-13

Madam Speaker, I like what my colleague, the Minister of Official Languages, is saying, but the government is not walking the talk. In my opinion, Bill C-13 is very important because it establishes rules to ensure that, in 50 years, Canada will still be a bilingual country, where both French and English are spoken. The minister is from New Brunswick, the only bilingual province in Canada, yet she is supporting her government as it argues against including a requirement in the act stating that the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick must be bilingual. I am having a hard time understanding the logic behind what she is saying. Furthermore, the minister said that stakeholders were happy with what had been done with Bill C‑13. Indeed, it is a step forward, but when I met with the same stakeholders, they told me that it was not enough. We do need to work on it, but in a democracy like the Canadian Parliament, all parliamentarians must be respected, be given the right to speak and be allowed to express themselves, because this is a very important bill for the future of bilingualism in Canada.

195 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 76 - May/20/22

Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor

May/20/22 10:24:14 a.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-13

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for the question. I have a great deal of regard for him as well. Our government is firmly committed to doing everything it can to promote and protect both our beautiful official languages in Canada. That is a priority. I have also stated many times that we agree with the principle that the lieutenant governors of New Brunswick must be bilingual. All of Ms. Murphy's successors will be. We have stated that and we will absolutely abide by it. What is before the courts is a constitutional matter. It has nothing to do with the principle of the bilingualism of future lieutenant governors. We have made it clear that we will absolutely ensure that the lieutenant governors of New Brunswick appointed after Ms. Murphy will be bilingual.

139 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 76 - May/20/22

Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Joliette, BQ)

May/20/22 1:38:13 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-13

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Portneuf—Jacques‑Cartier for his fine speech. I would like to hear his comments and analysis about the fact that the government chose to appoint a unilingual anglophone lieutenant governor in our country's only bilingual province. New Brunswick subsequently took this matter to court, and the Liberals are going to fight it before a judge. The government says that future lieutenant governors will always be bilingual, and yet it has just appointed an anglophone to the position. When it comes to respect, what message is being sent to the people who speak French in New Brunswick or elsewhere in Canada?

112 words