Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Thank you to both of you for coming.
I'm listening to you with interest. I have to say it was somewhat difficult following your presentations as you went through all of the steps of government. As I listened, I was struck by the fact that the processes are in place, but somehow there's a niggling concern of mine that while the processes are in place, gender-based analysis is still peripheral to all of what you're doing.
We heard the comment that it has a profile. We know that there's a memorandum to cabinet on gender-based analysis being done when appropriate. There have been a number of references to Status of Women; we know Status of Women is challenged in terms of their staffing complement and the demands on them. I just have a sense that gender-based analysis is becoming topical because you have a committee looking at it and a community demanding it, but that it's not real, or that it's just very much skimming the surface.
I'm waiting for finance to come to talk about some of the tax credits. We heard references to the interdepartmental committee; you've referred to it. We've also heard that they hardly ever meet. I'd be interested to know what your understanding is on the role of the committee.
Memoranda to cabinet suggested that gender issues be considered when appropriate. Who decides what's appropriate? Is it appropriate to have it in a defence memorandum to cabinet as well as in a social services memorandum to cabinet?
We've heard that programs are aligned with government priorities. Are government priorities articulated for Treasury Board staff and for Privy Council staff so that...? Is gender-based analysis done independently of government priorities, or is it geared to government priorities? How are those priorities articulated?
I'll let you answer that, and then I've got more questions.