Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank all of our witnesses from all the groups that are here today for appearing before us.
It's certainly interesting. In the last couple of meetings, we've really heard about what's happening in the English-speaking minority communities in Quebec. I was born and raised in Montreal and educated there.
You mentioned McGill and Concordia, and I'm on the Concordia side. I also confess that I'm among the 99%, in that I'm close to Westmount, but Van Horne and Décarie is not Westmount.
Before I start with my questions, I've heard my colleagues opposite mention a couple of times now that the department is replacing their consultation with our study. This is an important study. It's an investment. The road map represents an investment of some $1.1 billion. So we're taking a long time in order to have an opportunity to speak to all of the stakeholders, but under no circumstances is it replacing the consultative process the department is doing.
This is going to be value-added information, of course—and very valuable information—that we give them from our study after hearing from all stakeholders such as you. The department will take that into consideration, as will the minister, along with the consultative work that is being done, and quite comprehensively, I might add, by the ministry itself.
In the very short time I have I want to focus a little bit on the youth. It's an interesting comment to say that our communities are in danger. And I agree. Minority communities across the country have different sets of circumstances. The francophone community outside of Quebec is spread across a vast land, whereas the anglophone community within Quebec is more concentrated, if you will.
I've always maintained—and my colleagues, I believe, share this with me—that the way to attract the youth is through cultural programs within the communities, through sports, recreation, and cultural programs. Can you give me your thoughts on that, please? All of your groups can respond.