The good news in all of this is that the funding was not cut for the women's program. The $10.8 million remains as it was, and it will continue to go to groups and organizations and individuals. Although there will be new terms and conditions, it nevertheless will go directly to promoting action on the ground in order to improve the lives of women.
On consultation, that activity can continue through the women's program, but we also have ongoing consultations with stakeholders. Last year, in 2005, we conducted a number of consultations across the country. We had six regional consultations and one national one, which was complemented with electronic consultations that reached almost 3,000 Canadians.
We intend to continue to consult. The minister, since she has taken office, has had a number of round tables, and will continue to do so, with interested groups and individuals. For example, she has had a round table with aboriginal women and she has met with a number of organizations and individuals as that has gone along.
Other departments working on issues that have an impact on women's lives also do consultations. I think of Foreign Affairs—they do that on human rights—and a number of other departments. For example, this fall the government is undertaking consultations on matrimonial property as it affects aboriginal women.
So there are a number of activities that don't necessarily have to be generated by Status of Women, but they can help to improve the lives of women and help the government and policy-makers to engender and make good policy as it impacts on women.