I'm not saying that it is done intentionally. However, even if that isn't the case, we couldn't do it more efficiently. I'm not saying that what is happening is being done on purpose. I'm saying that things aren't working. We are at the point of doing whatever it takes. We must find a solution together. We don't think the government should do everything. For several years now, we have been there to recommend solutions and changes. We would like to sit down with these people to find solutions.
Officials have been saying no for almost two years, but finally, last November, things changed. However, express entry was to come into effect in January. We were told that it was too late, given that phase 1 was over, and we would see in phase 2.
The minister himself told me on March 2 that he was very disappointed in the numbers for 2014. Moreover, he hasn't been able to tell us yet. I imagine that's because he did not want to shock us further. He said himself that he is very disappointed. We see that he wants it, but that nothing is being done. We're told, “We'll see. We will make an announcement eventually”. We've been living with the eventuality that things will change for 10 years, but nothing is working. We are on a decline and, at some point, we will simply disappear.
It's now or never, and this doesn't just mean doing new things, but fixing the harm done in the past 20 years where 3,000 francophones have arrived outside Quebec. I have the impression that they are almost all in Moncton. During that time, Canada has received 250,000 anglophones across the country.
We aren't asking the government to do it all itself. We need to take the time and take a step back to sit down together and develop a strategy. This work needs to be done in cooperation with the municipalities, the provinces, the communities, the community organizations, the employers and, of course, the federal government. But, we don't want to be told that a little program is being established and that it will be announced soon. It's time to admit that an announcement isn't going to bring more people to our communities.