Official Languages committee  Absolutely.

Official Languages committee  I don't know if it's an affront to the charter, but, if there is a problem in that respect, it must be solved. I agree with you on that.

Official Languages committee  When Statistics Canada receives requests, our objective is to try and respond to them. We have responded to them in the past by working with 10 federal government departments and agencies. If there are other options, other ways to respond, Statistics Canada is perfectly prepared to look at them.

Official Languages committee  I cannot answer that question with certainty, but I don't think so. We are in constant contact with all kinds of people all over the country. I am responsible for the linguistic statistics division. I personally have not consulted lawyers on the matter. Statistics Canada receives a huge number of requests on all kinds of topics.

Official Languages committee  Thank you for your question. Earlier, I referred to the Elementary-Secondary Education Survey, a really important survey. Very regularly, Statistics Canada meets with each of its partners and holds discussions with them. Each year, we hold meetings with officials from all provinces and territories.

Official Languages committee  —can do so and they will be given consideration—

Official Languages committee  There's no decree for the 2018 test. However, we are indeed talking about a decree for the content of the 2021 census. As for the 2018, the national census test—

Official Languages committee  As I mentioned earlier, as soon as the consultation process is under way, anyone wanting to submit opinions to Statistics Canada—

Official Languages committee  I cannot comment on that, given that it will all depend on the assessments.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  It's the entire cabinet.

Official Languages committee  As I mentioned earlier, the national census test and the consultations will start next fall and, in 2018, a national test will take place to check the various questions recommended.

Official Languages committee  Of course, we'll have to wait for the results of the tests to know whether, yes or no, it's—

Official Languages committee  What I'm saying is that it will depend on the assessment, the recommendations we'll be making and the decision the government will make.

Official Languages committee  There's no problem with that, but as I already mentioned, very clearly, Statistics Canada must conduct rigorous and very thorough reviews to ensure that those questions are feasible in a census.