I will clarify the numbers. One thing I have certainly learned is that reading government numbers is not the easiest task an individual is given. Even after years of reading business plans, it seems it's very different.
To clarify, the entire $13 million is not just administration; there are areas of activity. That's where we will be reviewing what activities will continue that are included in the $13 million. It's misrepresentation to say that it's going to come out of programming.
I know, Ms. Ievers, that we are going to be looking, because we know we can reduce that 31¢ cost to deliver $1. For example, in order to administer and give out $10.8 million, the administrative cost, the directorate cost, is $3.3 million.
When we also look at another area, at directorate costs in some of the areas of delivery.... There are different areas, and we're very clear—I asked for these numbers and I got these numbers—as to how many of these dollars are going to programs, to activities, and how many are for administration. I'm comfortable that we will be able to find the $5 million in administration.
One of the things Status of Women voluntarily undertook, before expenditure review, was to look at the points of contact with Status of Women across the country, and to look at how it could be done more effectively and more efficiently. They had already undertaken that.
If I could, I would like to have an opportunity to speak about being called weak and frail and about being part of that nomenclature.
I have to say, Madam Chair, that as a visible minority, as a woman, as a person of colour, I face challenges that are unique. I would say also that there was a time in my life, in my youth, that I maybe felt weak, because I was being told I was different, I was being told I didn't belong, I was being told that I was special and would need extra help, and I was also being told that whatever I did would reflect not only on my family but on a whole community.
There are women like me, and many women around this table, who have maybe not the same challenges but different challenges, who have been able to not only work and advocate on their own behalf, but advocate on behalf of other people.
I believe we have a role, those of us who are fortunate to have won the confidence of the people in our communities. We are role models. The first thing I would not do is go back to my riding and call the women and address them as weak, vulnerable, or disadvantaged.