Thursday, 02 February 2012 00:00

Debates of the Senate - QUESTION PERIOD

Hon. Maria Chaput: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. The government, as Senator Tardif just mentioned, justified its decision to abolish the second-language training program by saying that it had become too expensive, but that bilingualism remains a priority.

Since bilingualism remains a priority for the government, can the Leader of the Government in the Senate explain what directives have been sent to the federal departments in terms of more affordable resources that are available to employees who want to learn either official language?

Senator LeBreton: Honourable senators, the government is fully committed to our language training program. It was decided that the services of the Canada School of Public Service language training could be provided by our schools and universities and have the same ability to turn out the same number of students at a lower cost to the taxpayer.

I think all of us, when we conduct ourselves, regardless of the area we are working in, obviously want quality work conducted by professionals. The individuals who are training our senior public servants or people who require language training, the fact is if they are working in a university or in a language training school, why would one think that the level of training and expertise would be any less than what was part of Canada School of Public Service?

Senator Chaput: Do I understand correctly that the public servants who until just recently were taking language training have been redirected to other resources. When will they be able to resume their training?

Senator LeBreton: Honourable senators, I think the training is ongoing. The government is using other resources for this language training. I fail to see any break in the ongoing language training program. The fact is that it is necessary to have qualified people. Obviously, through our universities and language training schools, these people are available. Public servants who require language training are getting it. They are not receiving training at the Canada School of Public Service but from other experts.

Senator Chaput: Honourable senators, has the government compensated for this significant reduction by taking other concrete measures that are immediately accessible and available to public servants who want to learn an official language?

Senator LeBreton: This is available right now through universities, colleges and other language training facilities. There is no break in the availability of language training to those public servants who, by virtue of their positions, require this training. Who is teaching the public servants should not be a concern, as long as the teaching is continuing.