I agree with you that there should be more language training. I do think that knowledge of French should be required from the outset though, because without that I am not sure any progress will be made. That is what we have seen in a number of cases, that of the Governor General in particular.
It is not just a question of learning opportunities. Some people are not good at languages and it seems to be very hard for them to learn a new language. We saw that with the CEO of Air Canada, who said he was taking French classes every day but that it was very difficult.
There is something I would like to know. When he appeared before the committee, PSAC's regional executive vice-president for Quebec said that “systemic discrimination is deeply rooted in the federal government” and that it is taken for granted that English comes first, even in Quebec.
Would you say there has been any change or do you think we are sliding backwards more than moving forward?