Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First I want to thank you for being with us. I had the pleasure of working with the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse between 1981 and 1993, at a time when resources were quite abundant. That didn't prevent us from complaining all the same. I was president of that same organization during tougher years, from 1995 to 1997. During that time, we had to deal with all kinds of budget constraints. We nevertheless set up issue tables and, in the context of those tables, commitments were made to work with other departments and maximize revenues.
Before going any further, I'd like to respond to Mr. Fast's question. In fact, this type of funding would be good for the strongest communities, but it would further weaken the remote and weaker communities. Those in the Atlantic, Moncton, for example, could benefit from it, but communities such as Baie Sainte-Marie or Chéticamp would be penalized by it.
To go back to those years of budget cuts, I must say that some commitments were made. Other departments granted operating funding. You mentioned the issue of French-language services in the minority communities. Back home, we worked hard and long to obtain education in French. I believe the Court Challenges Program was established in 1995 or 1996. That doesn't necessarily appear in your document. That was a basic support. When our rights weren't respected, we could challenge the provincial government, school boards or the federal government.