In any event, it's clear that after 50 years of the Official Languages Act, the assimilation rate for francophones has been increasing slightly from every census to the next. In the most recent census, it was less obvious in Ontario, where the situation remained more or less stable. At any rate, a change is needed because the trend is obvious. The status of French is in decline everywhere. A major change is required.
That brings me to Mr. Théberge, from New Brunswick's Société nationale de l'Acadie.
You said that you were in agreement with an asymmetrical approach. I am pleased to hear that. Quebec has been demanding that for a long time.
How would that approach apply in Acadia? For example, one of the Quebec government's demands in connection with federal institutions advocated compatibility with the objectives of the Charter of the French Language. Even in federal institutions, French should predominate. In federally regulated businesses, managers would be required to understand French.
Where do you stand on that?