Mr. Chairman, earlier this morning, you said that the fact that there had been no consultation before producing this new policy did not go against part VII. Nevertheless, before asking whether this was legal or not, we must ask whether it was the right thing to do.
Yourself said that respect for official languages in the Canadian armed forces was a dismal failure. We were not warned in any way about this new policy.
Given this dismal failure, would it not have been preferable to carry out a broad study, to meet military personnel, and family members who are directly affected as well communities that are in some way partners with the Canadian armed forces in every region of Canada? Would it not have been better to consult these people?
Since you have made a priority of drafting this new policy, would it not have been preferable to carry out more consultations, before formulating this policy?