Bev Oda

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, we have many programs with clear guidelines and a review process. This is not a government that arbitrarily responds to the requests of individual members of Parliament. The organizations apply to the program. In fact, we deal with 7,000 grant and contribution applications.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, when I met with the leadership of the aboriginal communities I asked them to come forward with their plan. The plan has been submitted and we will be reviewing the plan and meeting with them again.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, let me assure the member that this government does not act like the previous government by redirecting money to serve its own party purposes.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, that is typical of the previous government. The Liberals did nothing with the money that was there. They extended the program. They did not move forward on the centre because they knew the aboriginal communities were not in agreement.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I indicated, $160 million were put forward to create a centre and there was not unanimous agreement that that should be how moneys should be spent to support aboriginal languages.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to announce that yes we have. I have met with the leadership of the aboriginal communities and we have confirmed $5 million a year to address aboriginal languages for an extended period, to the year 2013-14.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I would make a correction. Out of 50 aboriginal languages, 3 are viable and the rest are endangered. I recognize how important language is to every culture. It not only enables communication but it reflects on the nature of those rich traditions.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, there are three that are near extinction. There are over 50 aboriginal languages.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, this government recognizes the serious situation of the aboriginal residential schools and that is why we have acted on--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, the gender based analysis is totally unrelated to research. We have taken action to ensure that gender based analysis will be done in all the departments. We are making sure that the relationship between Status of Women and the departments is going to be enhanced. The coordinator for the Status of Women is meeting with every deputy minister in every department of this government.