Official Languages committee  I will give you one or two very concrete examples. The action plan has created some leeway financially that has made it possible to fund projects in school community centres. Two of these centres are in New Brunswick, one in Fredericton and one in Saint John, and they have seen their funding increase.

Official Languages committee  All kinds of consultation mechanisms exist, and they vary by department. My colleagues will perhaps add some clarification. The mechanism at Health Canada is often recognized as one that is highly appreciated by communities. The department has created two committees that meet periodically, one for the anglophone community in Quebec and the other for francophones outside Quebec.

Official Languages committee  It is always somewhat perilous for an official to venture an opinion, Mr. Chairman. Nevertheless, I will attempt to address some of the issues raised by Mr. Nadeau. With regard to French becoming the minority language on Montreal island, Statistics Canada reported—as the member well knows—that French-speakers with French as their mother tongue are becoming the minority group on Montreal island.

Official Languages committee  Honestly, I have not looked at it specifically. We also get this question regarding certain anglophones in New Brunswick, from the Acadian Peninsula, who say they are in a minority situation. I don't want to compare the situations, but the phenomenon of minorization of a group that, at the provincial level, is the majority, does indeed exist in the Pontiac and in northeast New Brunswick.

Official Languages committee  I would say that both my role and that of my colleagues at the secretariat have been hamped up. Nevertheless, I say that bearing in mind that there is a subtle difference between our roles. My colleagues at the secretariat coordinate all official languages activities, while a section of my team is responsible for supporting the minister and implementing measures relating to section 42 of the Official Languages Act, in other words coordinating the way in which federal institutions handle the new responsibilities conferred upon them by Bill S-3, the bill that you mentioned.

Official Languages committee  Thank you. The aim of my brief presentation is to draw your attention to one of the important elements of the action plan. As Bruce just pointed out, a significant percentage of the $750 million was earmarked for programs under my purview. With your indulgence, I will therefore make a few remarks on this subject.

Official Languages committee  [Technical difficulties - Editor] which, once again, guides the operation and application of the amounts allocated to official languages initiatives.

Official Languages committee  The evaluation is underway; it's a matter of a few months. These documents are regularly made public on the departments' Web sites.

Official Languages committee  The framework is used for the operation of the Official Languages Program. It is the current guide to the operation of the Official Languages Program. There isn't any specific report, if I understand the meaning of your question.

Official Languages committee  It's a matter of weeks. We are referring here to the report for committee members for the fiscal year 2004-2005.

Official Languages committee  Not on that point, no.

Official Languages committee  You are right, Minister. It is indeed the first time that what we call a collaborative agreement has been signed with this particular community. By means of this collaborative agreement, the budget for Quebec's English-speaking community has been increased by 11 per cent. In addition, you made reference to a future agreement that will be signed with the Quebec government for the provision of services in English.

Official Languages committee  I think a distinction needs to be made here. When you refer to senior public servants, you are referring to deputy ministers, at the highest level. They are appointed, as you know, by order in council. However, based on the statistics, which I do not have before me, I believe you'll be satisfied by the well documented proportion of bilingual francophones among senior officials.