Thank you very much for being here today, Mr. MacKinnon. I would also like to give a big thank you to your entire team.
We have extremely important topics and I will try to deal with them quickly. We do not have much time to discuss them at length or give long responses. We need to be concise.
You said that you have been consulting us to see what the federal government can do to improve the Official Languages Act. To me, there are three things that can be done.
First, we need to hold consultations, among other things.
Second, we need to provide services.
Third, we need to amend the fourth step of your process for disposing of surplus federal properties. The first step of this process is to report the property as being surplus. The second step is to properly perform all due diligence activities. The third step is to determine the type of disposal; that also works. The fourth step is to consult the aboriginal community; I would add that we should also consult Francophone minorities.
The problem that we have does not only affect your department, but all federal departments. Consultations are held all over the province, but OLMCs do not have what they should. Isn't this the way that we can ensure consultation during the process?
The communities are only part of the issue. However, Francophone schools are still very recognized. The 1990 judgment gave Francophone minorities the right to an education in French. Under the Constitution, it is the federal government that now must hold consultations.
Should the answer to amending the Act be that, at the start of the process, school boards and OLMCs be consulted before a property goes to the provinces?