I'll answer briefly and clearly.
First, I don't think it can be less and less costly because 42% of the population ranks at that level.
Second, provincial and territorial participation is fundamentally important. The key factors are there.
Third, the federal government has to play a leadership role and integrate into all its departments an approach focused on life-long development and education.
If I were the prime minister, I would not cut those programs. If I were prime minister and 42% of my fellow citizens were at levels 1 and 2, I would ask myself a few questions before cutting the budgets for those programs. The productivity and civic participation of a large number of Canadian adults are at stake. That's probably what I would do if I were prime minister.