Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'd like to welcome our witnesses. We have met them on several occasions. After a while we start recognizing people. Without wanting to discriminate against anyone, I would like to welcome the people from New Brunswick, from back home.
Earlier on we were discussing improvements made in the provinces. We were trying to determine whether there had been an improvement or a deterioration in the situation. Based on your answers it would seem that things are going better. In my opinion, some communities are doing better, but they know these cases were won before the courts. If today there are schools in PEI, it is because of a fight before the courts and not thanks to governments. We should not fooled about that.
Since when have things been changing? Mr. Rodriguez tried to say that it was since 2006, but in actual fact, it has been since people first started to fight and win their cases, like the fight for schools in PEI, and recently, the RCMP issue in New Brunswick. I was listening to Mr. Dion state that if he were to be elected he would double funding for the Court Challenges Program. Well, I have a fear that he may doubly breach legislation and that we may need twice as much funding to win before the courts.
You say that there has been some change, that negotiations or official language programs now fall under the Minister for Canadian Heritage, but really, that they should fall under the Government of Canada so that this responsibility might be borne by all departments. It is very difficult to meet with the minister. In fact, this committee can't even seem to do so. Under these conditions, I can just imagine how communities feel. I would like to hear your opinion on the changes that have taken place with respect to negotiations and agreements with the government.