In my riding, in Trois-Rivières, there are more than 20 schools in underprivileged areas. I'm going to take a moment to correct what was said, namely, that the focus was on the fact that the program feeds only one in 10 children. Once again, I think that's a somewhat misleading way of presenting the information. In my region, we focus on schools in disadvantaged areas.

Could you expand on that and on the partners you work with through programs like breakfast program?

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

Anna Gainey Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

We have a lot of really good partners, not just the provinces, but also organizations across the country, such as the Tablée de Chefs and the Breakfast Club. Those organizations were already there on the ground. They were already working with volunteers and schools to deliver meals where they were needed.

The federal government's investment will enable them to meet more needs and go even further, in more schools. In Quebec, for the moment, I think there are 2,200 schools that benefit from the national school food program—

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you, Ms. Desrochers and Ms. Gainey.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

Anna Gainey Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Thank you.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Mr. Blanchette‑Joncas, you have the floor for six minutes.

12:20 p.m.

Bloc

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Hello to the secretary of state. I thank her for being with us today. It's a pleasure to be here at this committee to be able to ask questions.

Ms. Gainey, your team wrote to me on November 7 to discuss my response regarding the budget. At that point, the budget had already been drafted, and all decisions had been made. It was tabled on November 4. Therefore, it was done without consulting any Quebec elected officials responsible for youth.

How can you talk about collaboration when you communicate with elected officials only after everything has been decided, rather than before, when Quebec's voice could have really mattered?

I would like you to answer my question clearly.

12:20 p.m.

Liberal

Anna Gainey Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Thank you for the question.

Quebec's voice really matters right now in the government. There are over 44 members representing the beautiful province of Quebec, and I'm proud to be one of them. I met with your colleague Marilène Gill. I also had an appointment with Mrs. Vien, but she wasn't able to attend the meeting.

I'm sorry that we weren't able to talk to each other before, but I will be very happy to answer your questions today.

12:20 p.m.

Bloc

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Madam Secretary of State, given that the elected officials responsible for these files weren't consulted—they were consulted right after the fact—I would like to ask you frankly whether young people, youth organizations and their representatives were really consulted before your government made all the decisions about this budget.