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House Hansard - 230

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 5, 2023 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 230 - Oct/5/23
Mr. Alain Therrien (La Prairie, BQ)
  • Oct/5/23 2:32:03 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-13 
Mr. Speaker, it is strange how defending the French language in Quebec is always difficult for the Liberals. Let us take, for example, the Minister of Immigration. Yesterday in committee, he was once again unable to acknowledge a simple fact proven by all indicators: French is declining in Quebec. He was like James Bond under torture, but refusing to cough up the goods. Oddly enough, it reminded us of the debates on Bill C-13 regarding the official languages reform. The minister was one of the West Island Liberals who fought tooth and nail against stronger protection for the French language. Is it a coincidence?
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Context: House Hansard - 230 - Oct/5/23
Hon. Pablo Rodriguez (Minister of Transport, Lib.)
  • Oct/5/23 2:32:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we must be cautious about the figures the member is referring to. If we consider the number of people who speak French, there are more of us than ever: 94% of the people in Quebec can speak French. If we consider the language spoken at home, when I was young, I spoke only Spanish. That does not mean that I am not a francophone. I am also a francophone. I spoke Spanish at home, but at school, at work, when playing hockey and everywhere on the street, I spoke French. This proves that Bill 101 is working. The Bloc Québécois can shout and get angry all it wants, but the fact is that more people are speaking French. The government will always ensure that their number keeps growing day by day.
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Context: House Hansard - 230 - Oct/5/23
Hon. Marc Miller (Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lib.)
  • Oct/5/23 2:34:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the statistic that the member keeps repeating has to do with one's mother tongue. That excludes me and my family, the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Tourism. What does it take to be a Quebecker in Quebec? I am a proud Quebecker. I am proud to be a Quebecker and to say that I am a Quebecker, but the statistic that the member keeps quoting refers to one's mother tongue. The fact remains that 94% of people in Quebec can speak French, and we should be proud of that. The member is shaming the people who drafted the Charter of the French Language with the statistic he is quoting. He should be ashamed of himself. I am proud. With regard to immigration in Canada, we will ensure that French speakers come to Quebec.
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Context: House Hansard - 230 - Oct/5/23
Hon. Sean Fraser
  • Oct/5/23 5:16:08 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-56 
Madam Speaker, before I begin, I would like to thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to discuss this very important issue and to practise my French. When I started my work on the Standing Committee on Finance, I did not speak French, but the member was supportive of my efforts. I do not know the details of the situation in Joliette, but I will make an effort for my colleague. We can always work to find possible solutions for his community. Generally speaking, CMHC programs can be flexible. I will continue to work with my colleague. I also thank him for the Bloc's support for this bill.
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