It would take a lot of time to try to understand just how independent universities and colleges are. Colleges have a different degree of latitude from universities, which have very broad latitude. One thing we do know is that the way to influence the development and implementation of postsecondary programs at the university level is often through financial support programs, that essentially allow for new requirements to be developed.
Let me speak briefly to what could be done to expand official and individual bilingualism.
Good morning, Mr. Lemieux. I am pleased to see you again. Mr. Lemieux had an opportunity to participate in the celebrations for the 35th anniversary of the Explore program in Quebec City in September of last year.
The programs that CMEC administers across Canada are programs to allow young people who are enrolled in postsecondary programs to improve their language skills in both official languages. Every year, about 5,000 young Anglophones and 3,000 young francophones travel all across the country to learn the other official language and spend five weeks in an immersion situation. You probably all know about these programs or know someone who has taken part once or twice or even three times, and for whom it has made an incredible difference, both in terms of their desire to continue learning a second language and continuing to learn the second language and in terms of their practical skills in using the second language.
I don't want to give a long speech about how difficult it is to get the universities to move in this or that direction. There are things in place. The programs are practical tools—we were talking about concrete assistance—that are there to enhance individuals' bilingual capacity.