Evidence of meeting #88 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was resdac.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Was it in 2013 that the federal government abolished your funding?
4:15 p.m.
Representative, Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences
It was announced in 2013, but I think it came into effect in 2014.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
At that time, the funding was about $600,000 a year, right?
4:15 p.m.
Representative, Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences
Yes.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Is it fair to describe RESDAC as a sort of research centre, a think tank?
4:20 p.m.
Representative, Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences
Yes, that's what it was: a forum for exchanging best practices, training and trainers.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
The board is made up of 12 members from across the country, including Pluri-elles. Is that correct?
4:20 p.m.
Representative, Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences
Yes.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
When you used to receive $600,000, was a portion of that going to the organizations?
4:20 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes
Yes.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
4:20 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes
Let me give you an example. At one point, RESDAC asked us to conduct three pilot projects on the integrated approach in three Franco-Ontarian communities. In fact, we obtained funding from RESDAC to implement those three projects and see what the results were after a certain period of time. Nova Scotia had the same type of experience.
For example, when we received the data from the international assessment of competencies, RESDAC funded some provinces so that organizations could work with Statistics Canada to obtain even more evidence.
In some cases, a small amount allocated to us has a leverage effect in the provinces.
4:20 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes
If, in this case, I receive $18,000 or $20,000 from RESDAC, I can go to the province and get $100,000 to pay Statistics Canada.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Over the course of a year, was a percentage allocated to provincial organizations?
4:20 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes
It always depended on the projects we were putting in place. When the board met, we would discuss the projects we wanted to put forward, such as studies or projects on the ground.
4:20 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes
As it dates back to 2013-14, I would be unable to provide you with a figure or a percentage.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
To your knowledge, have provincial community organizations closed because RESDAC's funding had stopped?
4:20 p.m.
Representative, Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences
In the wake of the cuts, some organizations have been affected. In Alberta, for example, literacy services in French are no longer available. A learning centre carried out a pilot project last year or the year before, but lost funding.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Does this mean that those people are no longer receiving provincial or federal funding?
4:20 p.m.
Representative, Réseau pour le développement de l'alphabétisme et des compétences
That's right.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Doesn't literacy fall under the provinces instead?
4:20 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes
There are two things to consider. Education, in general, is indeed the responsibility of the provinces.