Thanks for the question.
It's hard to say, because you could have a case starting in provincial law on government action and it's not funded, but we don't know where that case will go or what implications it will have. Take, for example, an administrative tribunal in Ontario. A charter issue arises, they rule on it, and it goes through some Ontario courts at the lower level. But then a B.C. court picks up on that decision and uses it. Now you have two decisions deciding, and it might set a national standard. You've basically set in stone a principle or a precedent, and there hasn't been an opportunity for that disadvantaged group to inject an interest at that first stage.
I don't know how you'd be able to say that this one or that one will have national implications. On that ground, practically it's hard to know, and on principle, the charter is meant to be a check on government action. It is not meant to be a check on federal government action. It is meant to be a check on all government action. That is why we think it should apply to both federal and provincial law and action.
Knowing that obviously there are political complexities in terms of how you roll it out and all of that, certainly we were happy to work with you in doing that. But I think as a first principle, yes, it should. How do we get to the point where we design a program that does, and where you don't ruffle too many provincial feathers and they're on board? That needs to be thought out for sure, but it doesn't dilute from the principle.
If I may take one second to address Ms. Levesque's point, I fully concur with her. I don't want to be misunderstood. Section 7 should be focused on assisting those who are disadvantaged. Our whole position is on disadvantage.