Statement made on 05 October 2011 by Senator Pierre De Bané
Hon. Pierre De Bané:
Honourable senators, I wish to ask the Leader of the Government in the Senate a question.
The Federal Identity Program, the FIP, was created 42 years ago in 1970, and was complemented in 1974, 1976, 1978 and several times since. The whole purpose of the FIP is to ensure that all departments and agencies present the graphics, image and values of the Government of Canada in a consistent and coherent way, without exception. No one is allowed to disregard the guidelines issued under the program.
One of the fundamental characteristics of the program is that it rejects the idea that Canada's two official languages are equal but separate. When communicating with the public, whether Canadian or foreign, both languages must appear on all documents and signs that identify the Government of Canada and its officials, departments, institutions, et cetera.
Never before has a minister of the Crown printed different English, French and bilingual business cards at taxpayers' expense, despite warnings from his own department that he was violating FIP guidelines.
As honourable senators know, every time a senator has asked the Senate printing office to print business cards in one language, the request was politely declined. They have to be in both official languages.
The minister that is mandated to showcase the image of Canada abroad is the only minister to have violated the FIP in 42 years.
The leader may answer me by saying yes or no to the following question: Will she give this house the assurance that she will recommend to the minister that he throw away those unilingual business cards, reimburse taxpayers the cost of printing the cards, and follow the example of the Prime Minister of this country who complies to the letter and the spirit of the Federal Identity Program? Yes or no?
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