I'd like to know why you chose to come here today. We asked you, by invitation, to talk about the Court Challenges Program. You know we are preparing a report. But you chose not to talk about it at all in your address, not at all.
Furthermore, the Standing Committee on Official Languages made 39 recommendations in May. In those recommendations, it asked what the Conservative government's position was on the Court Challenges Program. Once again, Minister, you chose not to answer our question at all.
Why has the Conservative government cancelled the Court Challenges Program? You say you're listening to the Canadian population.
We did a national tour. We went from St. John's, Newfoundland to Vancouver. All the communities told us that that would affect the minority communities in Canada. We don't need Bernard Lord to tell us that, I can guarantee you. If there are French-language schools in Prince Edward Island, it's thanks to the Court Challenges Program. If there are French-language schools in Nova Scotia, it's thanks to the Court Challenges Program. If we were able to separate the school boards in New Brunswick and finally have French-language school boards, it's thanks to the Court Challenges Program. If we still have the Montfort Hospital and if a small amount of $75,000 was provided to finish the challenges, once again it's thanks to the Court Challenges Program.
And before a committee where you were asked to come and tell us about Court Challenges, you avoid the subject.
I would like some answers, Minister. I'll let you give the answers you want. If you still want to avoid the subject, I'll let you do that because you've been quite successful so far.