Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for being here. We know that for some people it's not the same time as it is here.
Mr. Chair, before we go any further, I'd like you to stop the clock because I'm going to move a motion.
On September 20, 2023, we adopted the motion that the committee invite the Minister of Official Languages, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the President of the Treasury Board to appear as soon as possible to discuss their mandate and priorities in their portfolios, as well as their plans. Unfortunately, we learned in committee that Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge declined the committee's invitation. She is one of the ministers mentioned in the bill to modernize the Official Languages Act, which received royal assent last June. I would therefore like to move the following motion and for the committee to take a position on it:
That the committee reports to the House its disappointment at the refusal of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, to testify before the committee regarding her mandate and priorities with respect to official languages, as well as her obligations in connection with the implementation of the Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.
This is important, Mr. Chair. We already know the minister's answer, which is that she has delegated her authority, but—