I appeared before the parliamentary committee when part VII was amended in 2005, and I was troubled by an addition that had been made to that part respecting compliance with provincial jurisdictions.
Education is a provincial jurisdiction. As a result of its spending power and in the context of these agreements, it would probably be difficult for the federal government to dictate to the provinces how to use the money it gives them.
However, it could very well ask the provinces to be accountable, to explain how they have spent the money and to involve the communities. I knew at the time that this provision would come back to haunt us at some point, and I told the committee so. That's what's happening now. The provinces are saying that the federal government can do certain things, but always in compliance with their jurisdictions. I understand that because we have a federal system.
The federal government would not be able to interfere in postsecondary education or education in general, but it could ask the provinces to report on the way they use their funding.