Tuesday, June 20th 2017 - Question Period - Appointment of Commissioner
Official Languages
Appointment of Commissioner
Hon. Rose-May Poirier: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Leader, for four days now, minority francophone and anglophone communities have been without a Commissioner of Official Languages since the interim commissioner's term has now ended. After six months and an extremely partisan selection process held by the government, we are back at square one with no one in the position. Official language minority communities are concerned. With the summer recess approaching, what are the government's plans regarding the appointment of a new Commissioner of Official Languages?
[English]
Hon. Peter Harder (Government Representative in the Senate): I thank the honourable senator for her question. I'll make sure that the minister will be making the intentions of the government known very soon with respect to the new process for the selection of a language commissioner.
Senator Poirier: Since Parliament will likely only return in September, it means we are months away from a future nomination. In the meantime, will the government commit itself in naming an interim commissioner? If so, can we receive the reassurance that the interim position will be filled by an impartial, non-partisan nominee as it should be for a full-time commissioner?
Senator Harder: Again, I thank the honourable senator for her question. I will bring her suggestion to the attention of the minister.