This would ensure a certain level of coordination, and see to it that within the public service as a whole, action plans would have a certain cohesion, a consistency, and would contain clear objectives for everyone. We would also be in a better position to verify what is done or not done. We have been saying for a long time that it would be important that a federal authority, perhaps Treasury Board, be given a clear mandate in this regard.
We also have to remember that the Department of Canadian Heritage itself has quite a clear mandate, and a very important role to play in supporting part VII of the Official Languages Act. The department also has a horizontal coordination mandate for what is done throughout the provincial departments and institutions covered by the Official Languages Act. This is an extremely important role Canadian Heritage plays or should play.