I don't know history well enough to state an opinion about the federal government. Because generally it is in an industry under provincial jurisdiction, unlike other industries that are under federal jurisdiction. That's why we talk a lot more about the case of Quebec than about things in federal industries.
Our experience, the experience of the people responsible for programs, counsellors at Emploi Québec or employability groups funded by the government, is that there have been systematic cuts, because it is expensive to support a woman in non-traditional occupations. It's an investment, these are long-term changes.
Based on purely economic calculations to determine what is cost-effective, there has been a complete change of direction to give preference to rapid re-employment. Women are being sent overnight into secretarial jobs, and the groups were having to achieve a high placement rate quickly. That meant not giving women new training, and not reintegrating them elsewhere, where they had a chance of really improving their living and working conditions.
That is why, over the last 10 years, there has been considerable ground lost when it comes to integrating women into non-traditional occupations. It's because government resources are no longer available to support them in their efforts.