Thank you very much.
I am François Choquette, the MP for Drummond, Quebec. I am the NDP critic for official languages and vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages. I am a French teacher by training, so I am familiar with the field of education.
You talked about the great importance of early childhood in fighting assimilation. I am disappointed to hear that Saskatchewan has the highest rate of assimilation. So I support your idea of meeting in Saskatoon and Regina. We apologize for not being able to stop there. We also apologize to the francophones of the North; we have not been able to go to the three territories either.
I will be quick because we do not have much time.
My first question is for Mr. Laberge and Mr. Barry.
You said there are bilateral agreements between the federal and provincial governments that include linguistic clauses. You also said, however, that those agreements have limitations. You said they might not be the answer in terms of long-term funding, respect for linguistic duality, and equity, and that they might not guarantee that francophone communities receive their fair share.
Can each of you elaborate on those thoughts please?