Thank you very much.
Mr. Minister, none of the argument you've just presented explains why you voted for and supported this bill and this principle a few years ago and now you do not. I don't buy your arguments at all. I think it's false to say that somehow you don't need to do anything because the provinces aren't ready to take some action. That's really an abdication of a federal responsibility.
However, I want to come back to the labour market partnership agreements. I know that Barb Byers from the CLC was presenting at this committee on Tuesday, and she pointed out that less than 1% of the total payroll in Canada is spent on training. So we're well below the OECD.
There was a program through the labour market partnership agreement. There was to be a commitment of $3.5 billion. There were some agreements in place. Not only has your government put that on hold, but we've seen further cuts in training and workplace initiatives, and to literacy programs as well. This is a very important area. I think both organized labour and employer groups would agree that apprenticeship training programs are critical in Canada. We are falling behind.
So I want to ask you why this program is being put on hold, and why we aren't seeing some movement to ensure that these agreements go ahead and that the financial resources are there to back them up.