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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 274

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 2, 2024 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 274 - Feb/2/24
Mrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Salaberry—Suroît, BQ)
  • Feb/2/24 11:24:10 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, once again, the French language is getting second-class treatment in this Parliament. Yesterday, the Conservatives and the NDP, supported by one Liberal who lost his way, decided in committee that the commissioners appointed to review miscarriages of justice will not have to be bilingual. Once again, these parties are turning their backs on francophones in Quebec and Canada. Justice is supposed to be bilingual, and Canada is supposed to be bilingual. Will the government ensure that the members of the miscarriage of justice review commission are bilingual?
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Context: House Hansard - 274 - Feb/2/24
Mr. James Maloney (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Lib.)
  • Feb/2/24 11:24:49 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am the so-called lost Liberal the member is referring to. I was at that committee. I voted the way I did and I am proud I did. I stood up for unilingual French-speaking citizens in the province of Quebec. I stood up for English speakers and minorities across the country in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. The commission is going to be bilingual in nature. It is going to be available for people in both official languages, and that is the most important thing in that bill. I think what was decided yesterday was absolutely right and stands for exactly the principle the member is advancing.
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Context: House Hansard - 274 - Feb/2/24
Mrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Salaberry—Suroît, BQ)
  • Feb/2/24 11:25:26 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, what we have just heard is appalling. Once again, this Parliament is devaluing francophones on the pretext of promoting diversity. Let me repeat: French is not an obstacle to diversity. In this country, French is a facet of diversity and the francophonie is diverse. The reasoning used is even more flawed in connection with justice, because both official languages have the force of law. Anyone unable to understand French is just plain unqualified to interpret the law in Canada. Who among these parties will finally explain to their colleagues that this makes no sense?
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Context: House Hansard - 274 - Feb/2/24
Hon. Steven MacKinnon (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Feb/2/24 11:26:09 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I can assure the member and all parliamentarians in the House that this government is dedicated and solemnly committed to ensuring full compliance with the Official Languages Act in all areas under the Government of Canada's purview, including the administration of justice. The member can rest assured that French will remain alive and well as long as this government is in power.
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