Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Summaries of debate at second reading

On this page

C-13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages – April 1, 2022

Debate at second reading – April 1, 2022
MP Party Comments/Possible Amendments
Joel Godin CPC
  • The government despises official languages. Wish the bill had more bite.
Christine Normandin BQ
  • Does the Minister consider that French in Quebec is in danger? Name a measure that improves the status of French specifically in Quebec.
Niki Ashton NDP
  • Our message today is that we all want modernized legislation, but it has to be the best it can be.
  • Why not give all the powers to the Treasury Board rather than to Canadian Heritage.
Marilyn Gladu CPC
  • What are the differences between C-32 and C-13?
Sylvie Bérubé BQ
  • Paragraph 10(3) – Strictly unilingual or bilingual publications?
Peter Julian NDP
  • We will work to improve the bill.
  • Is the government committed to increasing funding for Francophone organizations in the country?
Robert Kitchen CPC
  • Could ministers be fined for not giving answers in both languages during their press briefings?
Joel Godin CPC
  • Findings from its consultations: demographic decline of French, numerous violations of the Official Languages Act, dispersion of powers and responsibilities within departments, weaknesses in Parts IV and VII of the Official Languages Act; decline of French in Quebec, weakened French within the government apparatus.
  • Federal Court Challenges – British Columbia is an example of how powers and responsibilities are dispersed and work against each other.
  • Unhappy that second reading debates take place on “shorter” days, so less debate time.
  • Beyond the government's lack of will, it is obvious that the mechanisms that are supposed to protect and promote French are not working. Powers dispersed between the Minister of Official Languages and the Treasury Board, but the Treasury Board should have all the powers.
  • Lack of accountability in federal institutions. Mechanism needed to measure effectiveness and accountability for results.
  • Francophone immigration thresholds are not respected.
  • Role of PCH poorly defined and has no powers to impose the law. Fuzzy terminology.
  • The government should recognize the importance of language clauses by amending Part IV.
  • That the sanctioning powers of the OCOL be extended to apply to Part 7.
  • Businesses under federal jurisdiction – terminology is unclear. The government leaves too much room for regulation and does not clearly specify the application of the new law.
  • We will always campaign for businesses under federal jurisdiction in Quebec to submit to the Charter of the French language.
  • Require departments and agencies to implement measures to achieve the immigration target.
  • We are in good faith, we want to team up to amend this law with several correctives.
Marc Serré LPC
  • Will the CPC support the pre-study at LANG?
Joel Godin CPC
  • It is not preferable to do a pre-study during the debate. If refused, this does not prevent hearing the witnesses in committee. Lost the motion to LANG.
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas BQ
  • Lists decisions made by the CCP against official languages such as cutting the court challenges program, no appointment of bilingual judges. What did the CPC do to defend French?
Niki Ashton NDP
  • Immigration target – LIB and CPC governments have not prioritized the target.
Joel Godin CPC
  • Raising the target is an important measure to include in the bill.
Laila Goodridge CPC
  • Could MP Godin give examples of how he wants to see the bill improved?
Joel Godin CPC
  • It would be important to find in the bill recognition of the fact that, of the two official languages, French is the only one to be a minority throughout the country.
Julie Vignola BQ
  • Note an error in the bill, incomplete sentence in the English version.
  • Agreements with the provinces – how can we talk about equality when everything is not automatically translated into both languages?
Joel Godin CPC
  • Je tends la main au BQ pour améliorer le projet de loi.
Mario Beaulieu BQ
  • The principle of territoriality could very well apply outside of Quebec, in territories where Francophone and Acadian communities are more concentrated.
  • The Canadian model of the Official Languages Act is based on the personality principle. It establishes individual linguistic rights that can be transported throughout Canada. It proclaims equal access to federal government services for citizens of the two major linguistic groups, while limiting this access to territories where numbers justify it.
  • This approach based on the principle of personality produces a situation where, among several official languages, the strongest language is the only one which will develop at the expense of other more vulnerable languages. Throughout the world, models such as the Canadian model of non-territorial institutional bilingualism result in the assimilation of minority languages.
  • Federal bilingualism means that Francophones outside Quebec are encouraged to inflate the figures so as not to be cut off from services.
  • The symmetry that has been established between Anglophones in Quebec and the Francophone and Acadian minorities is an aberration.
  • In Bill C-13, there is no specific measure to defend French in Quebec
  • BQ's initial requests totally ignored: other than symmetrical approach; that Quebec be the sole implementer of language policy on Quebec territory.
  • However, we believe that there is a way to go much further and we will support the demands of the Francophone and Acadian communities. Here too, we see the usefulness of a differentiated approach.
Marilyn Gladu CPC
  • The COL reports to TBS and is not required to inform the Minister of Official Languages, does C-13 rectify the situation?
Niki Ashton NDP
  • Asks Mr. Beaulieu if she can count on his support to enforce the bill at the Committee, in particular with a central agency responsible for the implementation of language policies and language clauses to protect the rights of Francophones in minority situations and defend francophone immigration targets that will slow the demographic decline of francophone communities?
    • Answer: yes, as long as it does not imply an encroachment on Quebec's jurisdictions.
Niki Ashton NDP
  • This law must have more teeth, more ambitious and adapted to the needs
  • Lists the NDP's priorities with respect to the Act:
    • That the Treasury Board is solely responsible for the coordination and implementation of the entire Act
    • Language clauses in provincial/federal agreements
    • Francophone immigration policy that should be put in place by IRCC should clearly mention, as the main objective, the restoration and growth of the demographic weight of Francophones.
    • Powers of the COL expanded in Part VII.
    • Clarify positive action obligations.
    • Clearer definition of the criteria for defining the notion of a region with a strong Francophone presence.
Marc Serré LPC
  • In favor of a pre-study of C-13 by the Standing Committee on Official Languages?
Marilyn Gladu CPC
  • Questions whether the powers granted to the OCOL in C-13 are adequate to encourage the desired behaviors.
Christine Normandin BQ
  • What positive measures make it possible to further protect Québec?

C-13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages – April 6, 2022

Debate at second reading – April 6, 2022
MP Party Comments/Possible Amendments
Marilyn Gladu CPC
  • How can it be ensured that TBS prioritizes its role as coordinator, ensuring compliance with official languages requirements? What will the Minister of Official Languages do in this regard?
Xavier Barsalou-Duval BQ
  • C-13 opposes Francophones in Quebec against Francophones in a minority situation in the rest of Canada.
  • C-13 permet au gouvernement de se soustraite à une grosse partie du projet de loi 96 du gouvernement du Québec.
  • C-13 est nuisible pour les Québécois.
Heather McPherson NDP
  • The government failed to meet its obligations to Francophones outside Quebec and failed to defend the rights of linguistic minorities.
  • What steps can the federal government take to ensure that provinces like Alberta provide the necessary personnel to teach in French?
Richard Lehoux CPC
  • The French language is in decline in Quebec and Canada. There is a certain weakness when it comes to enforcing the OLA. A complete revision of the OLA is required. Must go further.
  • There is a lack of responsibility on the part of the government with regard to the protection of the French language in federal institutions. Need a mechanism to measure effectiveness and an obligation to compile the results.
  • Deplores the fact that French is barely used by some departments.
  • Deplores the fact that the Francophone immigration target has never been reached.
Sylvie Bérubé BQ
  • Do you agree that Francophones in Quebec, which is also in a minority situation, deserve special protection?
Marilyn Gladu CPC
  • C-13 does not solve the important problem that there is not enough training in French. I hope the government will work with the provinces and territories to put in place enough training, starting with young people.
  • C-13 will clarify the use of French in all offices and businesses under federal jurisdiction, which is a good thing. However, if people don't respect the law, what are we going to do? That's where the problem is.
  • The Commissioner does not have the power to sanction someone who violates the Act. The consequences are not severe enough so the problem persists.
  • What is the real role of the Minister of OL. How does she know where the problems are?
  • Recommendations: 1) the Minister must work with the provinces to put in place a plan for training in both languages across the country; 2) increase the powers of the CLO so that he can sanction individuals and increase penalties; 3) achieve the Francophone immigration target and offer language training to immigrants.
  • Lots of vague things in C-13 that will require committee amendments to clarify: responsibility for determining positive and appropriate action; and the definition of a strong Francophone presence.
  • We must also protect the rights of Anglophones.
Richard Cannings NDP
  • Ask the CPC if it will support the NDP at the committee stage to give more power to the COL.
    • Answer: Absolutely.
Francis Scarpaleggia LPC
  • Mentions that the reference in C-13 to strengthening the court challenges program (paragraph 43(1)(c)) could be more explicit and could be clarified in committee.
  • He asks the government to increase the budget for the Court Challenges Program.
  • Hopes that C-13 will increase the representation of Anglophones in the federal public service in Quebec, which is currently below the demographic weight of this community.
  • Believe that it will be necessary to amend subsection 10(2) which seems to mention health problems that could harm the learning of French, but there are many reasons why some people remain unilingual that have nothing to do with health.
  • Firmly believe that neither a Francophone nor an Anglophone—in other words, no one—should be denied employment in a federally regulated business because they do not speak both official languages, in the same way that they would not be refuse a job in the federal public service because he speaks only one of the two official languages, unless it is a position that requires bilingualism. I hope that the regulations will respect this fundamental principle of the OLA.
  • Would like the regulation that will be made under C-13 to guarantee this right to work. Perhaps that could be done through amendments to the bill.
Kelly Macaulay CPC
  • Asked if the LPC will work with the PCC to ensure that the TBS systematically does an analysis under the OLA as part of the Treasury Board submission.
Heather McPherson NDP
  • Would the member agree to add to the wording of C-13 a catch-up clause for all the years when the target of 4.4% in Francophone immigration was not reached?
Laila Goodridge CPC
  • Why doesn't C-13 provide support for francophone or French immersion schools?
Xavier Barsalou-Duval BQ
  • I would like to know if the member perceives that there is a problem of the decline of French in Quebec and if there are measures that could help in some way to avoid it.
Jacques Gourde CPC
  • Will ensure that C-13 finally corresponds to current linguistic realities and that it encourages real equality between French and English, while contributing to the vitality of official language minority communities that have we are badly needed.
  • The CCP will:
    • Urge the government to play its role in protecting OLMCs.
    • Ensure that the bill recognizes the linguistic realities of each province and territory.
    • Ensure that the government also prioritizes working with Indigenous communities to preserve and protect Indigenous languages.
    • Ensure that Francophones can live in French. We must establish new rights to allow francophones to work in French and also to be able to be served in French in private businesses under federal jurisdiction.
    • Ensure that the government does not forget that the private sector also has a role to play in promoting our official languages.
    • Ensure that C-13 fulfills the promise of coordination and application of the OLA in strengthening the role of the Treasury Board as a central agency.
    • Ensure COL powers are strengthened.
    • Ensure that C-13 strengthens support measures for OLMCs in order to protect the institutions they have built.
  • Can't wait to see how the government will impose bilingualism on the Supreme Court of Canada.
Heather MCPherson NDP
  • How can the federal government do more to encourage the provinces to support the French language?
Laila Goodridge CPC
  • It is up to the federal government to take up the challenge of working with its provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure adequate, permanent, predictable and cost-of-living indexed base funding.
  • Request: the designation of the SCT as the sole central agency responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Act; an obligation to negotiate binding language clauses in agreements and transfers with the provinces and territories; and clarifications regarding the objective of a Francophone immigration policy.
  • C-13 is a step back from the reform document. C-32 recognized an asymmetry between the situation of French and English in Canada, this notion disappeared in C-13.
  • To truly support Francophones in minority settings, the federal government needs to support Francophone schools.

C-13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages – May 12, 2022

Debate at second reading – May 12, 2022
MP Party Comments Amendments
Lori Idlout NDP
  • Elaborate on how Indigenous Languages will be protected through this Act?
 -
Luc Berthold CPC
  • It is the role of the federal government to protect the French language and preserve its importance
  • C-13 is unable to halt the decline of French in Canada; it is filled with good intentions, but lacks the bite
  • Six (6) main issues in the new bill:
    1. Treasury Board should be responsible for enforcing the law
    2. Terms of “Federal Undertakings” should be clarified, Part VII is not covered by new OCOL order-making power
    3. No obligation of result in relation to Francophone immigration targets
    4. Administrative and monetary penalties limited to $25,000 would not be dissuasive enough for a large company (such as Air Canada)
    5. Provides no obligation for the government to include language clauses negotiated with other levels of government
    6. EPCFs located in Quebec choose between the Quebec regime and the federal regime (less demanding)
  • “That the Bill be not now read a second time, but that the Order be revoked, the Bill withdrawn and the subject matter referred to the Standing Committee on Official Languages.”
Lisa Marie Barron NDP
  • Should language clauses be developed in collaboration with the provinces?
 -
Darrell Samson LPC
  • A central agency such as the Treasury Board should oversee the monitoring and evaluation, implementation, and accountability of this law
  • Should be required to include language clauses and means of communicating with organizations or school boards if the provinces do not move forward on the files
  • We could specify “necessary positive measures”
  • Continue to invest in communities
  • We must recognize the importance of Francophone immigration in C-13
 -
Mario Beaulieu BQ
  • Bill will not reverse the decline of French.
 -
Bonita Zarrillo NDP
  • How does the government propose to support young immigrant students who would like to learn French?
 -
Alex Ruff CPC
  • What are the concrete protections to fight against the assimilation of Francophones in Canada?
 -
Denis Trudel BQ
  • Only way to protect French in Quebec is Quebec independence
 -
Arielle Kayabaga LPC
  • How does this bill treat Francophone minority communities?
 -
Garnet Genuis CPC
  • How can we strengthen our engagement with francophone Africa through this Bill?
 -
Brendon Hanley LPC
  • We can go further with C-13 to improve the situation of Francophone minority communities.
 -
Lisa Marie Barron NDP
  • Why not make Treasury Board the sole department responsible for the implementation of this bill?
 -
Ministre Petitpas-Taylor LPC
  • How could this bill support the Francophone community in the Yukon?
 -
Yves Perron BQ
  • Bill C-13 to create a new law to impose bilingualism in Quebec, without responding to any of Quebec's demands.
  • C-13 will be harmful for Quebec since it proposes to private companies to voluntarily adhere to this law, who will be able to benefit from it (compared to regulations in Quebec) since the fines imposed will not be large enough
 -
Alastair MacGregor NDP
  • Ideas for building solidarity in the rest of Canada so that francophones in Quebec sense partnership across the country?
 -
Garnett Genuis CPC
  • Weaknesses of the section on immigration and its implications for Canada’s place in the world
  • Immigration – policy on francophone immigration. Doesn’t have any teeth. No indications of what the policy should be, what the targets should be and how we can ensure how the target is met. Gov needs to look at fundamental problems that are holding us back from reaching the current target.
  • High refusal rate from Africa. Problems of racism at IRCC.
  • Structural issues around the giving of powers to PCH instead of TBS will lead to problems/challenges
  • Supported by OL
  • Require the minister to be accountable when we fail to meet target
  • Will propose amendments to strengthen legislation regarding francophone immigration
  • Move sub amendment – amendment be amended by adding the following: Committee report back no later than 10 sitting days following the adoption of this motion (sub amendment is in order)
Mario Beaulieu BQ
  • Need to make amendments
  • Why not change the positive measures to support French Quebec?
 -
Bonita Zarillio NDP
  • How can the federal government support immigrant children arriving to provinces outside of Quebec to learn French? (Question for PCC)
 -
Elizabeth May GP
  • We could improve bill by asking some pointed changes in addressing the problems we’re facing.
 -
Lena Metlege Diab LPC
  • Have a clear and essential responsibility to have complete results
  • Supports the bill
 -
Ministre Petitpas-Taylor LPC
  • The impact the bill would have in his province? (NS)
 -
Niki Ashton NDP
  • Is the government supportive of stakeholder requests and willing to accept amendments?
 -
Lena Metlege Diab LPC
  • It is essential for CEOs to learn French and to understand French.
 -
Mario Beaulieu BQ
  • Why does C-13 want to impose the free choice of languages in Quebec?
  • We can impose the obligation of results.
 -
Alexandre Boulerice NDP
  • The bill initiates substantial changes: it is recognized that French is in a minority situation in Canada and the official language of Quebec
 -
Ministre Petitpas Taylor LPC
  • Discuss the importance of having included the court challenges program in the bill. Does he think the program will make a difference for Francophone minority communities?
 -
Alexandre Boulerice NDP
  • The Minister should be open to amendments so that order-making powers also go through Part VII.
  • Law 101
 -
Gérard Deltell CPC
  • This is a minor reform. This bill will not stop the decline of French.
  • It is the TBS that should have the authority to impose bilingualism and has the final say in applying the law.
  • Francophone immigration: no clear and precise objective
  • The application or not of Law 101 is too vague
 -
Jeremy Patzer CPC
  • Fines for targeted federally regulated companies are meant for companies like Air Canada but are too large for smaller companies. A solution can be discussed when the Bill goes to committee.
 -
Marilène Gill BQ
  • C-13 is a setback, it is an indirect linguistic assimilation policy for Quebec.
  • Court Challenges Program does the opposite in Quebec.
  • A bill is imposed on us when it should be up to Quebec to choose its language regime.
  • This project allows the choice of language while the Charter says that we must speak French at work. That's a big difference.
  • There are no measurements that must be symmetrical.
  • We do not want this bill to apply in Quebec.
 -
Gabriel Ste-Marie BQ
  • That not all of the policy applies in Quebec
  • Whether Bill 101 applies to businesses under federal jurisdiction
  • That the $100 million donated per year that is given to Anglophone minorities in Quebec go to Francophones in the rest of Canada
 -
Bernard Généreux CPC
  • Does the government plan to change the existing working conditions framework?
 -

C-13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada's Official Languages – May 20, 2022

Debate at second reading – May 20, 2022
MP Party Comments Amendments
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas BQ
  • As much as C-32, C-13 completely ignores the unanimous demands of the National Assembly of Quebec regarding the protection of the French language in Quebec
  • The effect will be to prevent the government of Quebec from applying the Charter of the French language on its own territory, and prevent the application of Bill 101 to the private companies under federal jurisdiction’s.
  • This bill will give the right to work in English in businesses in Quebec
  • C-13 should introduce a differentiated approach, including protecting French more than English because of its current decline
  • Explicit recognition of the primacy of the Charter of the French Language over the Official Languages Act
Alexandre Boulerice NDP
  • Act respecting the use of French in the private companies under federal jurisdiction: protects the use of French specifically in the workplace
 -
Joël Godin CPC
  • Great government inconsistency with respect to the protection of the French language
  • I invite all parties to participate in the committee process and to propose amendments
  • This project should provide communities with tools to protect the French language
  • Charge a central agency with implementation
  • Require language clauses in agreements with the provinces

Page details

Date modified: