By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – Recently, the federal government posted an appointment opportunity on the Privy Council website for the chairperson of the CRTC and its vice-chairperson.
To the dismay of some, working knowledge of both official languages is not a requirement.
In Ottawa jargon, the post reads: “Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.”
In question period today, the Bloc Québécois raised the issue: “For them (the Liberals), it is okay to appoint someone who doesn’t speak French to oversee a whole segment of our culture,” said Martin Champoux, the Bloc’s critic for Canadian Heritage, in French, after stating that French is not mandatory but just an option.
“Their actions speak for themselves, and their actions speak English,” he added.
To which, Pablo Rodriguez answered, in French of course, that “For the Liberal Government, it is absolutely fundamental that the next CRTC chairperson can function in both official languages. It is a question of respect for the cultural sector.”
