Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I just have a quick question for the minister, after which I will be sharing my time with my colleague.
Since 2006, there has been a modest increase of a few million dollars in legal aid. The amount went up from $128 million to $132 million in 2011. In 2014-15, a decrease in government contributions has brought legal aid down to $120 million. This means that it has dropped below the threshold of the 2006 contributions, when the Conservatives were elected.
I find that rather strange because we are now being told that, from 2014 to 2017, contributions to legal aid will once again be reduced to $108 million, which is $20 million less than the contributions made in 2006-2007. In that respect, the provinces are unanimous. In addition, a report by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Hon. Beverley McLachlin, said that legal aid is an essential part of access to justice.
We talked about the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. We talked about how important the aid for victims and access to justice are.
Basically, I would just like to ask you this question. Why is the contribution to legal aid being reduced to $108 million over the next few years when we know that the situation has reached a critical stage in terms of access to justice?
Thank you very much.