Statement made on 01 April 2008 by Senator Claudette Tardif
Hon. Claudette Tardif (Deputy Leader of the Opposition):
Honourablesenators, five years ago, the Honourable Stéphane Dion presented the Action Planfor Official Languages. It was rare to see ministers, senior governmentofficials and leaders of francophone and anglophone minority communities workingtogether to produce a plan that would give a boost to the development of thesecommunities across Canada, an innovative plan that would guarantee the federalgovernment's support in areas such as education, health, justice andimmigration.
Since the Conservatives took power, their commitment to the Action Plan hasbeen steadily waning. When the government tabled the budget in February, it didnot allocate money to renew the Action Plan, a sign that the government does nottake the official languages file seriously.
The 2003-08 Action Plan for Official Languages expired today. Officiallanguage minority communities are on pins and needles, left hanging withprojects that are essential to their survival.
The government must fix this and make a clear, concrete commitment tobilingualism and linguistic duality in Canada. The budget would have been theperfect opportunity to take such action. Unfortunately, the budget was notspecific, and we are left waiting for a new Action Plan that has yet to beannounced.
For a long time, the Government of Canada was seen by the communities as aleader in supporting language rights, but this situation shows a change indirection, and not for the good.
We are urging the government to take action and reassure the communities bydelivering a clear message that reaffirms the important place of bilingualismand linguistic duality in the Canadian identity. This message must beaccompanied by adequate funding that meets the needs of the communities in acoherent and visionary framework for action.