Official Languages committee  The case which opened the floodgates to recognizing the increasing scope of minority francophone rights was the Mahé case, which dates back to 1990. It was during this case that the major principles were established, principles that would guide future cases. This case was launched by Franco-Albertans; this should not be forgotten.

Official Languages committee  I'm trying to understand the political logic underlying this decision, but I don't see it. I worked on Parliament Hill for 15 years, as many of you know, and I know the system and how decisions are taken. The fact is that Quebec unanimously supported Montfort and it seems to me that it is also unanimously supporting this program, because we need to protect French everywhere in Canada.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Ms. Lalonde. As we say in English, Ms. Lalonde is always a tough act to follow. I would like to discuss the decision to cancel the Court Challenges Program as it pertains to language decisions and what they mean, and more specifically, the Montfort decision. The Ontario Court of Appeal saved the Montfort Hospital primarily because, had it been shut down, there would have been a greater assimilation of Ontario's francophones, which would have been against the fundamental constitutional principles pertaining to the respect and protection of minorities.