Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Before starting, I want to recognize that we are meeting today on the unceded land of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people.

I am joined today by Carsten Quell, Executive Director of the Official Languages Centre of Excellence. I am delighted to be appearing for the first time before the committee as President of the Treasury Board. I want to acknowledge the important work that the committee is doing in defence of our official languages. I also want to thank you for your thorough review of Bill C‑13.

Bilingualism has always been one of my priorities since I was a child. I was born in Kentfield, Nova Scotia, to parents who had immigrated from India. My parents did not speak French, but they made sure that I learned both official languages. They did not do the same for my sisters, but I don't know why. I attended French immersion classes and learned the language at school.

It isn't just a good thing for a federal minister to be able to speak both official languages; it's also a responsibility that we take very seriously. My senior officials, like Mr. Quell, who is here with me, know that they can always choose to send me documents in English or in French and can also conduct briefing sessions in French. That's one of the reasons why I always tell my francophone staff, officials and colleagues that we can communicate in French if they so wish.

One of the most important aspects of my mandate is guaranteeing a fundamental right of all Canadians, the right to receive services from federal institutions in the official language of their choice.

As we all know, the modernized act expands the Treasury Board's role to include monitoring of the support provided for the vitality of the anglophone and francophone minority communities, the promotion of both official languages in Canadian society and the protection and promotion of the French language. It also confers on me, as President of the Treasury Board, a more prominent leadership role in implementing and administering the policy on official languages.

The modernized act also reinforces bilingual leadership in the public service. The deputy ministers and associate deputy ministers of the federal departments will now have to take mandatory language training, unless they are already bilingual, so that they can speak and understand both official languages.

Lastly, I would like to note that my department is also developing regulations that will provide us with a framework for ensuring that we comply with all sections of the act. I will be working on this file with Mr. Boissonnault and all concerned stakeholders. This is a priority, and since these important regulations will require extensive consultation, we will therefore take the time we need to do this work properly.

There has been no doubt in my mind, since I was a child, that it is extremely important to speak French, and that thought motivates me in the work I do every day.

My team and I will be happy to answer your questions.

Thank you very much.

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