Thank you.
In order to understand properly how this should work, it appears from the outset that we have to look at the budget cycle and how data is derived. It might be a bit of an exercise to bring this together.
I think we had two meetings on gender-based analysis in the last session. In looking through the gender lens at the budget processes, it would seem that at least some departments are doing that already. I think we even talked about the extent in particular that the Department of Finance is using a gender lens to look at the programs. I'd have to go back to look at the reports, but I recall that the work they're already undertaking has become more and more a part of the culture. It's a foregone conclusion that before anything gets released at the public level, that consideration has been part and parcel of developing a budget.
It's great to understand more about this, to assure ourselves that this is in fact happening. I'm coming back to what specific things we would be hoping to achieve as a committee by investigating gender budgeting. Are we doing it for the purpose of equipping ourselves better--for example, to consider estimates and supplementary estimates when the time comes? Perhaps if we had a set objective there, it might be easier to narrow that focus down.
I give that really more for consideration for our discussions.