Access-to-information document refutes Fantino email claim from 2013
OTTAWA — A document obtained under access-to-information laws refutes former Conservative cabinet minister Julian Fantino’s claim that an email at the heart of an official languages complaint had been doctored.
In 2013, an email from Fantino’s office asked that all correspondence signed by the minister be sent in English, even if the addressee was French-speaking.
“I would like to reiterate that ALL correspondence signed by the minister be sent in English,” said the email, dated Feb. 14 of that year.
“In special cases, ie (Haitian Prime Minister Laurent) Lamothe, then it makes sense, but for example, for the Ethiopia trip thank you letters to staff, we noted twice that we had some in FR (French). I understand that we know the recipients’ first language is French however the minister can write in English if he chooses to do so. That is also in line with the OL (Official languages) act.”