As you know, I am in Ontario. I spoke to you about the province's most recent funding for the operating budgets of post-secondary educational institutions. These funds are added to the core funding received by all the other universities.
I believe that we are way ahead in Ontario because the province has for several decades recognized that there are indeed additional costs and the province has already covered some of these. Has it done enough? Not at all. But in my opinion, compared to the other provinces, it's the best model for everyone to follow.
Nevertheless, at the moment, the federal government is not paying its fair share compared to what the province is giving.
I think that our colleagues have told us what we need. The federal government must recognize that the status of French, and of official language minority communities, varies enormously from one part of the country to another. The provincial government commitments to these minority communities also vary.
But as the federal government has a quasi-constitutional responsibility for the long-term continuity of official language communities across the country, it must provide the funds needed to keep these communities viable and able to rely on strong institutions, across Canada.
The federal government is investing in all kinds of areas, including in the economy and companies. But it must also consider official language communities as part of the Canadian fabric. That is fundamental. I believe that the federal government has a primary responsibility and I therefore expect leadership from it.