Official Languages committee  I'll be very brief. It's critical for our communities. We have been working on this issue since 2003 and have made considerable progress. We're very proud of this, but we need to keep at it.

Official Languages committee  It depends on what is meant by “remedy”. I think that we managed to succeed largely thanks to the support programs we receive. We still have an enormous amount of work to do, and effecting a remedy or making up for lost ground truly remains a major challenge. However, I believe that if we were to introduce measures and programs, in consultation with the communities, and speak to one another to agree on what steps to follow, we could make enormous progress.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Beaudry can tell us more about the most recent early childhood language provision.

Official Languages committee  Absolutely.

Official Languages committee  I'll ask Mr. Beaudry to answer that question.

Official Languages committee  I believe that consultation is clearly a starting point. Indeed, Bill C‑13 should be more explicit about very concrete results in various areas, including immigration. Generally speaking, I believe that the exercise is useful, but that holding consultations is only the beginning.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much, Ms. Ashton. We are delighted to have a French school in Thompson and to know that your children can go there. As for the importance of correcting the numbers and setting demographic targets to close the gap in Manitoba, there were worrisome trends in the last census, but on the other hand, the work that we've been doing on francophone immigration for several years now makes us optimistic for the future.

Official Languages committee  It's working.

Official Languages committee  Yes. Regarding potential negotiations with the provinces and territories, it's really important to continue this discussion on the specific issue of consultations. Obviously, the more rights we secure, the better it will be. Once again, however, it's important to include in the bill an obligation to consult, which could lead to language clauses that are more robust and better suited to the needs of the provinces.

Official Languages committee  All right. In some instances, these clauses concern early childhood. To sum up, we have language clauses that enable us to develop as a community. We're essentially trying to ensure that this is included in Bill C‑13. I'm now ready to answer your questions. With me today is Jean-Michel Beaudry, who can respond as well.

Official Languages committee  In our case, we're essentially talking about the French language in communities where we aren't in the majority. The principle that's important to follow with regard to language clauses is that, when you acquire a benefit at the federal level, a program, for example, or a benefit negotiated or transferred to the provinces, it's important not to lose that connection after the benefit is transferred or negotiated.

Official Languages committee  I think you've raised a very good point. This important issue should be put on the table and be part of the discussion. Some things are very simple and others more complex. Generally speaking, however, if it's impossible to have language clauses, there's a problem. I mentioned early childhood, for example.

Official Languages committee  That's a very good question, but, once again, we're asking that the door at least be open and that it be possible to reach that kind of agreement with the provinces and territories. I know there are various areas of jurisdiction and that these kinds of agreements have to be negotiated.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Greetings from the beautiful province of Manitoba and the centre of Canada. I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Official Languages for inviting us to appear today. My name is Daniel Boucher, and I am the executive director of the Société de la francophonie manitobaine, or SFM.

Official Languages committee  This has always been a major problem for us. We would like Canada to recognize communities for what they are in terms of identity. Over the years, the community in Manitoba has developed significantly with newcomers, francophiles, if we can use that term, people who really have an identity and a sense of belonging to the community.