Statement made on 26 May 2010 by Senator Maria Chaput
Hon. Maria Chaput:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. It has to do with the 2009-10 annual report of the Commissioner of Official Languages. Delays in signing agreements with official language minority communities cause delays in payments and put their development at risk. The commissioner cited a number of examples in his report to describe what is happening in anglophone communities in Quebec and francophone and Acadian communities outside Quebec.
Some very serious studies look at the internal restructuring of the government, as Senator Tardif mentioned, and also the privatization of services, the decentralization of those services and the negative impact on the development of official language minority communities as a result. Just look at what is happening with Air Canada or Canada Post, for example.
Mr. Fraser said, "The delegation of responsibilities must not lead to laxity."
With all this restructuring, what will become of all those who once were responsible? Who is supporting federal departments now to ensure that services are provided in both official languages? Who is providing oversight? Who is analysing the impact of the decisions made by various federal departments?
Can we count on the minister to get the government's support for the recommendations? May I ask the minister to impress upon those responsible the great importance of these recommendations? The Commissioner's report mentions the Prime Minister, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Clerk of the Privy Council.
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