:
Good morning, and welcome to the 35
th meeting of the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
[English]
This morning, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f), we are considering the use of Google Translate by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
[Translation]
We are pleased to have with us four witnesses who will contribute to our discussion today.
First, we have the Assistant Commissioner, who is also the Director General of Workplace and Programs Services, as well as Co-champion of Official Languages, Daniel Dubeau. Welcome to the committee.
We also have Nathalie Ferreira, Director of Official Languages, Superintendent Tim Cogan, Acting Director General of National Communication Services at the RCMP, and finally, Inspector Marc Richer, Director of RCMP Media Relations and Issues Management.
You were told how the committee works. You will begin with a brief statement, and then the members of the committee will ask you questions. Without further ado, I will ask you to start us off.
Mr. Dubeau, you have the floor.
First, I would like to thank you for inviting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to respond to your questions today. I would like to begin by saying that, as a national police force, the RCMP strives to remain a role model in implementing and respecting all laws, including the Official Languages Act, which honours our national heritage and unique linguistic identity.
Whatever challenges we may encounter along the way, the RCMP never ceases to dedicate itself to finding and implementing solutions that will improve the quality of services it provides in the two official languages of our country. It is because of its continuous devotion and commitment that our organization invests great effort in making the necessary adjustments to respect its obligations under the Official Languages Act, just as it would for any other law it is mandated to observe and enforce.
Our cornerstone remains the first-class delivery of police services based on compliance and respect. When our choices, our actions or our decisions are questioned, we try to find a way to rectify the situation as soon as possible and to the best of our ability. We take full responsibility for our choices, even when they contradict our intentions. But more importantly, we remain attentive to the public we serve, and we are ready to readjust the focus because our objective is simple: the well-being of all.
That said, in regard to our official languages obligations, we are fully engaged in doing what is necessary, to the best of our ability and within our scope, to show Canadians that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is fully committed to promoting and conserving English and French, as well as protecting Canadians' linguistic rights, without prejudice, when it comes to communicating with and obtaining services from our organization in the official language of one's choice. It is precisely because the organization believes in the fair treatment of all citizens that it continues to invest effort in improving the level of bilingualism internally and externally.
We are keeping a strong and continuing commitment to have all of our official administrative and operational documents for our employees, as well as our services and external communications with the public, provided in both English and French, where and when prescribed by the law, whether it be on our Web sites, in person, or through our media relations.
[English]
As part of its commitment to respect its obligations, the RCMP has raised the visibility and importance of the Official Languages Act in its programs throughout the organization, by including in its official languages action plan for 2010-2013 different initiatives focused on the implementation and promotion of parts IV, V, VI, and VII of the act. These initiatives are also used to further sensitize RCMP employees with respect to two important points: their official language rights and obligations, and the value added by our Canadian linguistic duality.
[Translation]
As part of its ongoing awareness and education campaign entitled, "Our Heritage, Our Advantage", the RCMP continues to develop and discuss educational and promotional tools force-wide, especially when it pertains to active offer service delivery in the official language of choice of the public.
The RCMP has also increased internal media to this end over the last few years. The purpose is to bring official languages to the forefront. Every opportunity is taken to post and distribute various articles on communications with and services to the public, language of work, equal participation of English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians, linguistic duality, enhancement of official language minority communities, and much more.
Best practices throughout the organization are shared and showcased, special events, internal or external, are announced, and useful tips are given as to the use of English and French in the workplace and beyond.
[English]
When it comes to language of work, many measures have been adopted by us throughout the regions to foster and promote a workplace conducive to the use of our two official languages. A prime example that demonstrates our commitment towards increasing the level of bilingualism within our organization is the raising of the linguistic profiles of all of our supervisory positions to a minimum of BBC within New Brunswick to improve the quality of communications with employees.
[Translation]
Another good example that highlights our efforts and our commitment is the creation of a new language training program. In addition to the regular English- and French-language training offered throughout the regions, in December 2008, the RCMP began offering an English-language training program to newly engaged francophone members, following their cadet training program at Depot Division, in Regina.
The purpose of this program, which integrates both language training and field coaching, is to offer francophone members additional support throughout their policing career and equal opportunity for advancement.
Our objective remains ensuring a workplace conducive to the use of both official languages, where services, tools and necessary training are all available in English and in French.
[English]
With regard to the implementation of part VII of the Official Languages Act, our directorate of official languages, our regional coordinator network, as well as different stakeholders throughout the RCMP, are very involved with anglophone and francophone minorities and take active part in various interdepartmental committees. These committees aim to support the development of these groups, as well as support the full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society. Indeed, the RCMP is dedicated to searching for and putting in place positive measures to shoulder the government's commitment to this end. Although the RCMP is not among the designated federal institutions who must submit an official accountability report to Canadian Heritage, it insists on doing so as proof of its commitment towards the implementation of sections 41 and 42 of this legislation.
[Translation]
Last but not least, we continue to recruit from all communities that form our Canadian mosaic, including, of course, our official language minority communities.
In our opinion, it is a winning situation for all involved. Not only does this increase and enrich the force's capacity with a wide array of skills, but it also provides employment opportunities and career development to all Canadian citizens who would like to join Canada's police force and make a difference in communities across the country.
[English]
In hundreds of communities that we serve day in and day out, proactive and positive measures are taken that underline the government's requirements and commitment. The RCMP continues to encourage its personnel to go beyond their obligations wherever and whenever possible. We recognize the importance and value of our bilingual identity, and not only continue our efforts to preserve it but also promote it as an operational asset. Languages, which open the door to communication, can be the most effective and valuable tool towards the achievement of the greater good.
[Translation]
This notion, along with the intent to serve members of the public in the official language of their choice and to respect linguistic duality, is one of our goals. It is an integral part of our strategic framework, and it is considered not only in everyday law enforcement functions, but also in the planning and delivery of major events. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a prime example.
[English]
In short, bilingualism is an official priority of the RCMP. This is why we fully support the objectives of the Official Languages Act in our day-to-day operations. When we consider the extent of our responsibilities and focus on the fact that we have over 700 points of service, many operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we come to realize just how many challenges can be presented by that. Notwithstanding those, we will pursue our efforts towards the achievement of a balance between operational needs and the ongoing necessity of serving the public in the two official languages of Canada. The RCMP will continue to fulfill all of its obligations under the act across the organization.
Should we slip along the way, as was the case with Google Translate, we will take the necessary steps to get back on the right track. We remain dedicated to providing exemplary policing services to Canadians, as well as promoting a work environment conducive to the use of French and English, in accordance with this act and its regulations.
[Translation]
Finally, I want to assure you that, like any English-speaking and French-speaking Canadian, our national police force respects and shares the same commitment towards our two official languages and our culture.
That is why the RCMP makes it its duty to equally preserve and promote both, not only as a right and an obligation, but rather as a legacy to our advantage, just as presented in its official languages awareness campaign.
On this final note, I thank you for your time and interest.
Many thanks to the witnesses. I have a few general questions.
As far as language of work goes, you said on page 2 of your presentation, that improvements were made in terms of raising the linguistic profiles of all supervisory positions in New Brunswick. I am from Moncton, New Brunswick. The RCMP has been in Moncton since 2000. On Monday night, the city council will decide whether to keep the current services of the RCMP or to opt for something else.
I find it very concerning to read that it is only now, 10 years later—even though the New Brunswick government decided to replace municipal police forces with the RCMP—that you are raising the level of bilingualism within your organization in New Brunswick. I want to know why it took so long, a decade, to do that. That is my first question.
I am aware that today's topic has more to do with the west coast, British Columbia. Only one paragraph at the end of your four-page presentation even mentions Google Translate. The big question here is how much does the RCMP spend annually on translation services in British Columbia. That is the big question, because we all know that using Google for translation may not have been the most well thought-out idea, and I hope the situation will be rectified.
Do the RCMP's practices vary depending on the region? I would assume so. There are issues in New Brunswick, and the situation is even worse in British Columbia. Does the RCMP in British Columbia have an adequate budget for translation? Those are two questions I would like you to answer.
Good morning, everyone.
Are you familiar with what I call the “Justin Bell case”? Does that ring a bell?
I lived in Saskatchewan for seven years and taught there for four. You know Justin Bell. He was one of my students. Justin Bell ended up in handcuffs—I repeat, handcuffs—for asking a member of the RCMP to provide service in French when he was pulled over for speeding in Gravelbourg, an area that is home to more than 5% of Saskatchewan's French-speaking population.
You know the Official Languages Act; I would assume you refer to it on a daily basis, as do we, for that matter. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, services must be provided in areas where the numbers warrant it. That is in Canada's constitution. I am not talking about the AANB that is the Alcoholics Anonymous New Brunswick chapter, but the AANB that is the British North America Act, which was repatriated in 1982 by our friend Mr. Trudeau. You all know that story.
Regardless, the name Justin Bell should mean something to you, because it was the RCMP that handcuffed that teacher. Today, he is a teacher in Gravelbourg. The incident occurred between 2006 and 2008. It is not ancient history. I am not talking about when Louis Riel was hanged; I am talking about Justin Bell.
Mr. Godin, a member of the NDP who is usually at committee meetings, raised the issue of why the RCMP was using Google for translation, when this is a bilingual country. Perhaps the RCMP still did not know. Its motto, however, is Maintiens le droit. It is indeed in French. Mr. Galipeau could tell you all about it because he also has things to say on the matter.
How is it that, in 2009-2010, we saw the RCMP violate the Official Languages Act yet again, essentially slapping all francophones in the face? I see that there are francophone members of the RCMP here today. There are bilingual members, as well. Basically, the RCMP has proudly proclaimed that now, in British Columbia—which, to my mind, is still part of Canada, since I do not think it has been annexed to the state of Washington or Alaska—it is going to use Google's services for its translation needs.
Whose idea was that, and how did it manage to gain ground? Can you please explain that? During a later round of questions, I want you to tell me how you plan to fix it.
:
Good morning and thank you for coming.
Having learned this morning about the comments made by your spokesperson, Tim Shields, to The Canadian Press, I must say that it is sad to hear the RCMP proclaiming that the new measures will pose a threat to official languages. Had you done your job from the beginning, we wouldn't be in this mess now. The RCMP making such statements runs counter to the spirit and intent of the Official Languages Act.
Last Monday, the RCMP commissioner, William Elliott, held an information session on the RCMP for the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and did not mention official languages. My colleague, Yvon Godin, as Mr. Nadeau said, asked the commissioner of official languages to launch an investigation on the issue we're discussing today. I thank him for his efforts. I trust you to do your utmost to rectify the situation quickly.
At first, the problem was limited to the use of Google Translate by the RCMP in British Columbia. However, we're now realizing that the issue goes beyond the translation of news releases. We have noticed that, on the RCMP's website, there is English content on French pages and there are unilingual videos. The agency's Facebook page and Twitter account are unilingual as well. We should also look into the RCMP's website for Alberta because it's not much better. The content in the two languages is not balanced. Commissioner William Elliott sits on the Interdepartmental Committee on Security and Intelligence, which is comprised of deputy ministers.
Do you know whether he has discussed official languages with his counterparts in the past? Have you had to prepare documents on official languages for his committee meetings?
:
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and my thanks to the witnesses for coming today.
I want to preface my remarks today by saying that we're dealing with a specific issue, and some of the questions are hard questions. For my part, certainly, some of my closest friends are members of the RCMP. Having worked with the RCMP in some of the most isolated and remote communities in Canada, I have nothing but admiration and respect for the outstanding job they do.
It's not going to prevent me from asking some hard questions today. Indeed, you've heard some others.
Lost in translation--this is one of my primary concerns. I have an anecdotal example of my own. When I started out as a nurse in an isolated Cree community, I remember asking an elderly lady, through a translator--she was complaining of cold symptoms and I could tell her nose was running. When I asked how long her nose had been running, she started to laugh, as did the translator, saying, “My nose doesn't have legs. It can't run. And if it did, where would it run to?” So I had a very early appreciation on how things can get lost in translation.
On a little more serious note, with respect to Google Translate, we did a bit of work and we have an interesting newspaper here. The French business paper, La Tribune, launched an experiment in July 2009 to run a multilingual version of its website. The experiment was based on Google Translate and generated some comical headlines. This was one French title:
[Translation]
“Ryanair prêt à faire voyager des passagers debout.”
[English]
It's pretty straightforward French. It translated to “Ryanair alone to make travel of the passengers upright”.
The second title was:
[Translation]
“Les atouts du droit continental dans la gestion de la crise.”
[English]
That was translated as “Assets of the continental right in management of the crisis”.
So the quality is really mediocre. Indeed, I've experimented with translation a time a two. And I think we can all agree how problematic Google Translate can be.
I'm going to focus on B.C, Surrey, because I have an old news release by one Mr. Shields, which I think has been discussed by my colleague, Mr. Nadeau, and....
[Translation]
I visited the website of Surrey, British Columbia. I realized that news releases are not alone in being available only in English. This was also true of general information on gangs, family violence, road safety and other important issues. I feel that this situation is unacceptable, especially since the RCMP was made aware of the problem in July and August 2010.
[English]
We can't have this. I understand some of the practical problems and the need to introduce some immediate news bulletins that we may not be able to translate instantaneously, although I think that's what I'm hearing you'd like to head towards.
Mr. Cogan, based on Mr. Nadeau's questions earlier, I would have taken some comfort in the fact that you had dealt with this issue in Surrey, B.C. Unfortunately, I'm in possession of a news release this morning that continues to trouble me. It appears that there's a new policy as early as Wednesday afternoon, yesterday. Let me read from it.
He's writing about potential victims facing an imminent threat of death, serious harm. He says the Mounties will post a news release immediately, but he notes a slowdown, which he says “comes as a result of the federal Official Languages Act”, and he states once again that E Division doesn't have a full-time translator.
This is a news release from yesterday. I think you may be aware of it.
[Translation]
Do you have anything planned to fix these two problems, which are twofold? First, there's the translation issue in British Columbia. Mr. Shields' comments are still unacceptable, in my opinion.
What specific measures do you intend to adopt in order to comply with the Official Languages Act, in this situation? You have already talked about your objective in a broader sense. Today, I would like to know—and this is perhaps also the case for my colleagues—what specific steps you will take to rectify this situation.
I would also like to know if general information on gangs, family violence, road safety and other important issues will be made available in French as well.
[English]
I can't underscore enough the need to address this issue, frankly, of communications coming from Surrey, B.C., where, as you've identified, some poor judgment may have been exercised. It was enough back in the summer. It occurred again today.
I'll leave the last couple of minutes for you to address that.
Thank you.
I would regret it if I didn't share a little anecdote about one of my experiences, not in British Columbia, but at home.
Not even five years ago, I was in Saint-Jérôme—I have been an MP for that region for 17 years—and I was sent an RCMP officer to accompany me to the Remembrance Day ceremony. He did not speak a word of French. In a town like Saint-Jérôme, that's a rather rare occurrence, since 99.6% of its population is francophone. The RCMP officer didn't know why he had been sent there. Fortunately, I spoke English. When I asked him where he was from, he simply said that he was from Ottawa, that he was sent to accompany me and that he had no idea what he was supposed to do.
Imagine the scope of the problem. It shows that, in Quebec, it's quite important to speak some French. He was fortunate to have someone there who could speak to him in his language, as he could not even say “yes” or “no” in French. He was very happy that I could tell him what he needed to do during the ceremony.
Regarding the situation in British Columbia, it's very worrisome. I really didn't get the impression that you have an action plan in place. As far as the translation engine goes, I know that people use it. I often see my children doing their university homework with the help of the Internet and using Google, but they do correct the translation mistakes afterwards. It's faster that way, but they realize that the system is not intelligent and that they cannot use the translations as they are.
The fact that you use this tool is almost disgraceful. There are people who specialize in translation, and their services should continue to be used. If you don't have any professional translators, make cuts elsewhere and hire some because it's important, not only in British Columbia, but everywhere. The Official Languages Act was passed 40 years ago, and we still have serious problems with your agency. This is a serious problem. It's recurring constantly, so it's become redundant. We don't exactly get the impression that the RCMP is willing to truly abide by the provisions of the Official Languages Act.
The Official Languages Commissioner, Mr. Graham Fraser, maintained that Canadians shouldn't have to resort to machine translation. That's fairly harsh condemnation. I believe that you have a lot of work to do in this area, and the blame cannot be placed on a single person.
Because of the magnitude of the reaction, you're telling us that you will do something. However, there have been many reactions. We receive complaints regularly. There are also many people who don't dare speak up.
So, I would like you to give us a real action plan and not just some bits and pieces. We want to see a real action plan, a budget. If you don't have enough money in the budget, you need to tell us, so that we can look into what can be done. You have a budget and you can balance it. For instance, when I know that I need more money in a certain area, I balance my budget accordingly. Official languages, including French, should be among your priorities, which is currently not the case.
I would like to hear what you have to say about this, and I want concrete statements, please.
I still have some concerns about the RCMP's comments on bilingualism in general. There still are many issues to be resolved since the RCMP is all for improving its bilingual services across the country.
[English]
I want to get back to New Brunswick. We're here because there was an incident in British Columbia regarding a lax use of translation services for public interface. We're being reassured this won't happen. That's the problem. That's why we're here.
I would like a more fervent response, a more converted response, to the issue of the level of bilingual services provided throughout the country. Let's start with British Columbia.
I'll go back to New Brunswick. Obviously I will; you know I will.
We're here because of the Google thing in British Columbia.... No. I think we're here because we have one translator in an employee force of 10,000. My guess is that UPS or Canadian Tire have more translators probably for that number of employees in majority anglophone parts of the country.
One of the things I learned from our tour of the country on official languages, Mr. Chair, was that there are 50,000 francophones in the greater Vancouver area. That's more than there are in Nova Scotia, probably. So there's a community to be served there.
If you're here--and we beg you to say this--requesting that the brass provide you with more resources to have more translation, we applaud that. We're here to help you in this regard, because I don't know how many other people are champions of the issue of better bilingual services for a national institution like the RCMP throughout the country other than this committee. So we're here for you on that.
I'd like to hear a little more fervour about that. I'd like to hear you say that you need better resources in the area of translation. I don't think it's sufficient to say you're here because of this problem and you're going to correct that because you've issued a release and everything will be fine.
Well, that translator, the one person, must be a bit overworked, because there are occasions for community police forces to get out and interface with the public, which they serve, on an immediate basis.
We all know around this table that getting things translated in Ottawa--and we're here--isn't instantaneous. It takes a little while.
So we're here to help. I want to hear more of a college try on that one.
Back to New Brunswick. I want to remind everyone that the RCMP often responds to complaints and often doesn't respond with an immediate yes. I'll remind you of the case involving Marie-Claire Paulin in New Brunswick. You're not here to take the blame for this because you're not the legal representatives of the RCMP, I realize that. But let's be clear. The RCMP resisted a claim by the Société des Acadiens et des Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick for the provincial law, the Official Languages Act of New Brunswick, to apply to the RCMP in the province of New Brunswick. They fought it all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada. It took a majority decision, nine to zero, in 2008, after paying $135,000 in the other party's legal cost, let alone their own, before the RCMP said yes, we'll comply with provincial laws where we serve the public.
My point to you is that I think there's some resistance at the RCMP with respect to providing bilingual services in this country.
The floor is yours to respond to that--with fervour, I hope.
:
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
To continue along the same lines as Mr. Galipeau, I would just like to draw your attention to the motto: “Maintiens le droit”. It is written in French, isn't it? The council in London decided that it should be kept in French. I guess that adding “Gendarmerie royale du Canada”—which, by the way, is shorter than writing “mounted police” in English—would not be such a bad thing. It is a matter of identity.
Mr. Cogan, I would like to point something out. Today, we have been really buttered up. You belong to a type of threesome where you are the fourth wheel not the fifth. As you know, Franco-Ontarians—and I am one of them—have three kinds of slices of bread with a thick layer of jam on. In Hawkesbury, they say: “Ah, que c'est beurré”. In Sudbury, it's “Ça de beurré” and in Haileybury, it's “Elle est beurrée”. RCMP sounds a bit like Hawkesbury, Sudbury, Haileybury. I'd just like to throw that in. I am sure there will be a play at the Théâtre de la Vieille 17 on this.
You said earlier—and that reflects what I am saying: this is a work in progress. It has been 40 years since the act was passed. This is a work in progress! For goodness' sake, it has been a rather long gestation period. I am not sure that we'll get a nice little buffalo out of this, like the one on... In my view, it will be a dragon or a monster instead.
Based on what you are saying, the RCMP respecting the official languages, it's an ongoing struggle. So join the U.S. Coast Guard if you must, but give the RCMP a chance. Use all the necessary tools so that services will actually be in both French and English.
Let's suppose I am being stopped and questioned by an RCMP member—and he has every right to do so—on a highway somewhere in Canada, and that I ask him to talk to me in French. What will happen then? Will he leave me by the side of the road until I freeze or will he go look for someone, somewhere, to provide me with services in French?
When I hear what I am hearing today... There is only one translator for British Columbia, when there are actually a lot of francophones in a minority situation. And not all those francophones are in Vancouver or Victoria. You, Mr. Richer and Mr. Dubeau, are francophones yourselves. Ms. Ferreira and Mr. Cogan also speak French very well. Try this with your colleagues on a Sunday morning, hiding your stuff; try to get services in French. Send people from your staff or third parties. Send Mr. Galipeau if you want; I could also volunteer for this. How will we be received if we ask for services in French?
We are in a situation where people who work in communications—I am thinking specifically of Mr. Shields—say that the French fact scares them to such an extent that, in their opinion, Google Translate will automatically do the trick. Why should we put money in that?
I asked you earlier whether Mr. Shields was still working in the communications department and you said “yes”. We have a serious problem...a communication problem! If the French fact scares him, that means that he is simply not in the right place.
Mr. Dubeau, as a co-champion of official languages and you, Ms. Ferreira, as the director, what does that say to you? Is this a big joke? Were you painted into a corner and were you told to have as much fun as possible because, at the RCMP, it is not important anyway? That's the feeling I'm getting. This morning, we talked about Justin Bell, who was handcuffed because he asked for services in French at the RCMP—services in French! And he was handcuffed.
I feel like him today. I know that, if I went to British Columbia, I would probably end up in handcuffs because I know that, in British Columbia, no one gives a darn anymore about making sure that the RCMP communicates coherently in French and English with anyone entitled to it…
:
I think it's important to understand that in my capacity as director general of communications, I use multiple services to accomplish the translation requirements of the organization. I use our internal services. I use PWGSC services. I use contractors where they're needed. I use an overnight service that is supplied by Treasury Board of Canada. There are a number of different ways of accomplishing the translation requirements that don't necessarily require an on-staff person to be there.
I would like to respond to Mr. Nadeau's comment earlier when he said we have one translator in B.C. Yes, we have one full-time equivalent person who does provide translation services for a number of business lines within the policing community in B.C. They also have access to PWGSC, Treasury Board services, contractors, our services centrally in headquarters, and the divisional translation services in other provinces. There is a network of available people to do the work.
The question is prioritization. That is the challenge I was referring to with Monsieur Nadeau. It is an ongoing struggle in a certain region of the country to keep them focused on the importance of compliance. That is the struggle I was talking about.
I don't think it's a reflection of the overall mentality of the organization with respect to its obligations under the Official Languages Act. If you look at the websites for the other provinces, you will find them compliant, in all aspects. There is not one that is not compliant.
We have a challenge in one area of the country, and we readily admit that. We are trying to deal with that in as expeditious a manner as possible. As I said, sometimes it's not as clear to some as it should be. Our job is to continue pushing on that.
With your help, and I understand there is an offer to help, we will get there. It is what we want.
:
It's kind of you to let me conclude the meeting, Mr. Chair.
I will make two comments. The first deals with the fact that Mr. Shields is not here. We asked him to attend because he was the one responsible for communications. He was also the one responsible for choosing Google as a translation tool. This didn't seem to bother him in the least, despite an absolutely horrible translation. And he still has his job, which concerns us. We would have had a lot of questions to ask him.
The second thing is that I would like you to get back to us with the documentation, if you can't join us again physically. What I want is an action plan and you don't have one. You haven't shown anyone on the committee here this morning that you have a specific, definite and clear action plan that would make anyone say that you really wanted to get things under control. I would like you to give us a written action plan: on such-and-such a date, we did this; on such-and-such a date, we did that; we are hiring people, translators if necessary. You have only one translator for 10,000 people? She's going to burn out, if she hasn't already a bunch of times. It doesn't make sense.
Give us an action plan and show us that you really want to do something. I'm very unhappy today. As I leave this committee meeting, I am not convinced that you are going to do anything new, that the translation will change because you received one complaint and suddenly had a wake-up call. How many complaints will it take?
I would like you to give us a real action plan, that you send it to us here at the committee or come back and see us if necessary so that we can discuss it. This isn't what we did this morning. I find it lacking, and I hope that you really intend to do it. If you really intend to have a plan that will get things done, a plan that pushes ahead 40 years after the Official Languages Act was adopted, I will be the first to be happy and to congratulate you, but I can't do that today. And there you have it.