Official Languages committee  I don't believe we're a partisan or biased organization. We represent the interests of all Canadians. Our group is a charitable organization; therefore, we have restrictions on our activities in terms of maintaining our charitable status. If you look at other groups that received court challenges program funding in the past, such as LEAF, Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, one could make a plausible argument that they too are partisan, as the member would state.

Official Languages committee  To answer that question, personally I don't think it's relevant. I am sure that groups that have received the court challenges program funding in the past may have been candidates for different parties in the past. I do believe, to answer your question, that Mr. Carpay was a Reform Party candidate at some point.

Official Languages committee  It's possible I myself am a former member of the Reform Party, but again, I stress that I don't think that's relevant, as I'm sure people who have received court challenges program funding in the past may have, or still do, belong to different political parties across the ideological spectrum.

Official Languages committee  That's correct.

Official Languages committee  He was involved in the birth, the early period of our foundation.

Official Languages committee  I don't know.

Official Languages committee  The executive director is Mr. John Carpay, and he currently resides in Alberta.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Carpay asked that I attend on his behalf because he had other business with the Nisga'a mediation.

Official Languages committee  I understand the committee invited Mr. Carpay, who then invited me to attend on his behalf.

Official Languages committee  No.

Official Languages committee  No.

Official Languages committee  To answer your first question, I think the law, if I can use an analogy, is like a living tree; it constantly is evolving and developing. So yes, with the charter, for example, I believe it celebrated its 25th anniversary. I'm generally familiar with the battle and struggle for English-language rights and French-language rights in Canada, and that develops over time.

Official Languages committee  Let me answer that by saying that, for example, I sympathize with the anglophone urge for justice in Quebec. However, to the question you're asking regarding the government appealing a decision and that it's detrimental to justice, for example, for defendants or proponents who can't afford to continue litigation, I would answer that it's unfortunate, because yes, in cases that we're currently litigating in the courts, that happens to us.

Official Languages committee  I would say yes, because it's the nature of the system. What makes the court challenges program unsuccessful is that in theory it's a good idea if you can fund groups across an ideological spectrum and fund them equally. In theory it works; however, human nature being what it is, and politics being what it is, the unfortunate reality is that you can't create a court challenges program and fund it equitably.

Official Languages committee  The ironic part of the court challenges program is that it's government funding to challenge itself. On principle alone, I cannot support the court challenges program. Regardless of whether the causes are worthy, and there have been times, I know—for example, I supported, personally not financially, Dr.