Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I'm very pleased that you are here with us in a so-called official setting. At least your words will be reported to the House of Commons, to Parliament, to Quebeckers, Canadians and Acadians, and as well to all those individuals who may be affected by the work you do throughout Canada.
That being said, I would like to, at the outset, draw your attention to the excellent report adopted by this committee last May, which is entitled “The Vitality of Official Language Minority Communities”. It was tabled by Mr. Lauzon in the House of Commons. Because your first meeting was so tumultuous, not much media coverage was given to the report, but the fact remains that the document exists and it is excellent.
The issue of the Court Challenges Program is covered on pages 144 to 146. In recommendation 26, we ask the Canadian Parliament to restore the program. This was a unanimous request. I would like you to know that this document constitutes an additional tool for you. It was not done haphazardly, but was the result extensive travel last fall. Indeed, for the first time in our history, the Standing Committee on Official Languages met with minority official language communities throughout Canada.
The report includes various issues, including that one. It is very important that people know about this, and I wanted to bring it to your attention. I will not read the report: I think that the message has been conveyed. Nevertheless, I would like to point out that, with respect to the Court Challenges Program, no fewer than 21 advocacy organizations—and in saying this I'm not inferring that some organizations are more important than others—who are at the very centre of these minority communities, both Francophone and Anglophone, expressed their opinions on this matter. The report gives some good examples. You mentioned these earlier.
We have taken a look at the theoretical side, the legislation and all of that, and that is important. Indeed, in some instances we have had to fight to ensure that the legislation was amended and the Constitution analyzed. We had to determine whether or not it was appropriate to abolish this program or provide services in relation to school management, the Montfort Hospital, the disabled, or other causes.
We have with us the people who fought for the Montfort Hospital and they are watching. My question is for these two representatives, either Mrs. Lalonde or Mr. Gratton. I would like to know who these people are who supported you, who contributed to this process. How did you arrive at the conclusion that the Court Challenges Program should be maintained?