Official Languages committee  Not at all.

Official Languages committee  The Official Languages Act has been in place for 41 years now and it's been the business of all of government since the very beginning. If people still don't understand that official languages is everybody's business in government, perhaps it is time that some governance entity remind them of this.

Official Languages committee  As long as there isn't a government entity that will say, here is how the Canadian government works with regard to official languages, the problem will persist. It all comes down to governance—

Official Languages committee  —and communication.

Official Languages committee  That is what I mean.

Official Languages committee  This is what we want, for you to consult us and then take into account what we told you when you design a program. In fact, you do not have to do everything we suggest. But tell us how you took into account what we suggested.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chair, may I set the record straight? Heritage Canada never refused to meet with us. We may occasionally be sent to meet with a deputy minister because of the urgency of an issue, but we cannot say that we have trouble getting access to Heritage Canada.

Official Languages committee  That was not us. Maybe our colleagues but not us.

Official Languages committee  I was talking about the programs....

Official Languages committee  Exactly, the programs and financial information, for example what is going to be invested, when, and where the information dealing with official languages could be found. Are these amounts going to be invested in these projects under the Roadmap? We have to try and read between the lines!

Official Languages committee  Yes, every single department. And that is the problem. Maybe this information is somewhere, but there are no clear indicated as to where it can be found, whether is under the Roadmap or under official languages...

Official Languages committee  divided by year, by project...

Official Languages committee  It is difficult to make plans, that is the problem.

Official Languages committee  As to consultation, it must mean, first, that we will indeed be consulted, and second, we would like be told how our opinion was taken into account. It is easy, I could consult someone until the cows come home, and still come up with my own...

Official Languages committee  That is exactly what I am saying.