Thank you for your questions.
If I may, Madam Chair, I will answer the direct question, but first I would like to address some of the other comments brought to our attention here.
As I've indicated, we've spoken to Minister Pupatello's office and have received a letter. The letter indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to come to a consensus on how they could make FPT processes more meaningful and action-oriented.
I can only take at face value unless we...and I wouldn't suggest this, of course, that we have something in writing, but we have a totally different message being said publicly.
I also understand, from a report that I received regarding today's meeting, that Ms. Pupatello explained to her counterparts the evolution of the public statements that were reported. I welcome learning that the ministers today have agreed to work together. They've agreed to come forward. I will be meeting with a representative group of five or six of those ministers, who are going to bring together a proposal on how an action plan...to work on an action plan. I will be with them in July in Iqaluit, where we will be discussing the next steps on an action plan.
I also understand, and I've agreed to meet, as I offered in our last FPT, which I was part of.... I had offered a separate meeting to discuss the terms and conditions they'd asked for. They are indicating that they would like this meeting, so that meeting will be scheduled. They've asked for that meeting to happen in February, and it will happen in February.
I also want to indicate that whatever way in which this meeting in Toronto was characterized in the media, I would like to say that I do not go by the media, I go by what other ministers tell me and what other officials tell me. I am told that the intent was to meet as provincial ministers. Provincial ministers in many areas, even first ministers, meet without federal representation in order to discuss their responsibilities and how they would like to come to an agreement or an understanding before they approach the federal ministers or their federal counterparts. I encourage that to happen.
I see this as a very positive meeting they have, and am very encouraged that they have identified the same three focus issues--of domestic violence, economic security, and aboriginal women--as the three focuses they would like on their part.