Official Languages committee  Deputy minister positions do not come under the Public Service Employment Act. We couldn't say why they are unilingual.

Official Languages committee  That is not under our jurisdiction. I would not know how to answer that question.

Official Languages committee  Learning a second language calls for a personal commitment, first of all. Someone has to demonstrate a certain desire and determination in order to accomplish it, and management is responsible for providing an environment that supports successful learning. That is in the interests of the organization.

Official Languages committee  There are only so many hours in a day and so many activities a person can do.

Official Languages committee  I am not familiar with the other components of the Action Plan that were transferred when the new Act was put in place. On the question of the role of the Public Service Commission, I think we should continue promoting bilingualism and raising the public's awareness of its importance and of learning as early as possible.

Official Languages committee  Unfortunately, I am not able to answer your question. I personally was not there. Ms. Demers is talking about... April 2006, that's...

Official Languages committee  I respect Ms. Demers' opinion, but I don't share it.

Official Languages committee  That's right.

Official Languages committee  Francophone or anglophone, candidates must meet the requirements of the language profile for the position. When a position is defined as bilingual, the proficiency level in the second language is the same, whether for a francophone or an anglophone.

Official Languages committee  The question is not whether it is easier or harder. There are more unilingual anglophone positions. Based on the law of large numbers, we can expect that there will be more English first language positions available. So I don't believe that it would be easier or harder for either of the two groups.

Official Languages committee  We would be very happy to pursue the initiative that started with the original Action Plan and move forward in terms of awareness and the plan to promote bilingualism at educational institutions.

Official Languages committee  I think it would be unwise for me to express a personal opinion about the validity of what Ms. Demers said. On the other hand, I can say, as you noted a few minutes ago, that all responsibility for language has been transferred. The Commission no longer has any responsibility, and as part of that transfer, we transferred $25 million to the school for language training.

Official Languages committee  Yes, after following certain procedures.

Official Languages committee  If I may, before answering I would like to add that we also have a power to investigate. When an individual believes that there has been fraud or some action that should be investigated, the Public Service Commission has the power to investigate. It can also conduct investigations into internal processes, at the request of a deputy minister, and so on.

Official Languages committee  First, we have responsibility for the Public Service Employment Act, that is, for the entire system of appointments to the public service and within the public service. The Act encouraged the Commission to delegate its powers of appointment, subject to certain requirements. That is what we have done, and at the same time we have improved our capacity for oversight, to ensure that departments are in compliance when they exercise the powers delegated to them.