Let me turn now to the question of literacy.
Joan McArthur-Blair is the new CEO of the N.S. Community College, as perhaps most of you would know. She said at a speech to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce last winter that the number one problem that community colleges face in this province is literacy, which I thought was a remarkable statement coming from her in her position.
The minister, in defending the cuts the government has made, has said that the government will not support lobbying and advocacy, and that they feel this should all be done at the provincial level, essentially. That's my understanding of what she's saying.
You've made a comment about the need for a pan-Canadian response—we've heard that this morning—but I also would like you to explain what you feel the impact of this is on your organizations. That's to AWENS and the literacy database in particular, or others who would want to add to this. Why is it important to have the national organizations that have been cut, as well as the provincial organizations...? In both cases we've seen layoffs, some closing their doors or looking to close their doors. Why are those organizations very important in terms of the actual on-the-ground delivery of literacy?
I think it's important to government to hear that.