Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I will restrict my comments to literacy, because thus far, it has perhaps been the most discussed topic in the consultations. There are many other subjects we could broach, but let's continue on with the topic you have just been discussing.
You have said often in the House of Commons or to the committee that it is important to investigate, consult, evaluate, etc. You said it again this morning. I will also comment on the responses you were just given concerning literacy.
With respect to Quebec, I received a letter from the Coalition québécoise against the federal literacy cuts, a letter which was signed by all of the labour confederations, the major community groups, groups that work on literacy and family reunification, etc. I would say that they represent virtually the whole of Quebec's population. The letter says that they are being insulted, because there has not been any consultation and because it is not consistent with the past commitments of the Canadian government. It also seriously jeopardizes the work they have been doing in the field.
When the $1 billion in cuts were announced on September 25, the Minister of Finance and the president of the Treasury Board said that they were eliminating inefficient programs or cutting the fat.
Madam Minister, which of the literacy programs are inefficient? Where is the fat? People don't know where you are making cuts. Can you specify which programs will be cut? Do you yourself know where you will be cutting?