Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I am not going to name all of you because you are quite numerous this morning, but I thank all of you for being here and for participating in this exercise with us.
Like my colleague, I would like to know who is responsible for GBA. It is an existential question and I think it is very important that it be answered.
Perhaps I will address my question to the representative of the Treasury Board Secretariat. Who is responsible for implementing GBA? I consider equity to be very important. I would also like to know who is responsible for developing the necessary mechanisms to make GBA effective.
Ms. Ballantyne, who represents Status of Women Canada, has just said that there is a shared strategy. How can we put in place measures, tools and an action plan that will be effective? We have with us representatives from three departments and the Office of the Auditor General. You are all people of good will, but you cannot impose these things. Ms. Ballantyne mentioned that you need a model and a structure more than you need resources.
What would be the best structure to ensure that GBA is effective? GBA has existed since 1995. An assessment of it was done in 2009. We are in 2016 and are now looking to 2020.
Can you assure me that measures will be put in place? In the documents I read, they always use the conditional and we find the words “we believe”. The words used are very broad, which as an MP does not reassure me. Our responsibility is to optimize the use of public funds. I would like someone to reassure me this morning by telling me what the best means would be to make this effective.
Several witnesses may reply to my question.