Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you very much, that's a great answer. You also mentioned three phases that I found very interesting. You mentioned revitalization, stabilization and then extension. Can you elaborate briefly on how you see Bill C-91 with respect to the extension part of that phase?

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you.

Canadian Heritage committee  Here's my question. I also sit on HUMA. We talk about national housing strategies, and government money that the feds will flow through to provinces, and the provinces working with cities and so on. It's critically important, obviously, that we get this right. As we said before, no bill is perfect, but this is a tremendous opportunity for indigenous peoples and for Canada.

Canadian Heritage committee  Okay. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we've heard there are 90 different languages across Canada. I'm looking for you to give us a road map of how you feel we would best proceed. Is it by signing bilateral agreements with each province, and it goes from there? Is it by us trying to attach some strings to the federal money to make sure it's allocated properly?

Canadian Heritage committee  I'll just jump in. If there are 90 languages across Canada right now, should they all be funded? Do you feel the purpose is to preserve all of them?

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, I agree. Ms. McIvor, do you want to chime in and give us some input as to how you would like to see this roll out with respect to funding through the feds to the province, to communities and to indigenous communities?

Canadian Heritage committee  Is it safe to say that without Bill C-91, without an investment from government, that would continue to decline? Do you think that it would drop right off?

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Good afternoon to my colleagues, and good afternoon to our witnesses this afternoon. That was very good testimony. I'm going to start with you, Ms. Gould. My riding is Saint John—Rothesay, in southern New Brunswick, and unfortunately we don't have a strong indigenous culture that really thrives in Saint John.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you for that. We can't afford not to do this, and I'm very supportive. I thank you for your time tonight.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Good evening to my colleagues. I can't believe I'm saying good evening, but it is good evening. Thank you for your presentation. I'm fascinated by this. I still feel somewhat of a rookie on heritage, but the study of indigenous languages absolutely captivates me.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you very much. I also want to get your opinion on the funding. We did have Minister Rodriguez in here earlier. I asked him about the government's commitment to long-term funding over years to preserve indigenous languages. Can you give me your thoughts and insight as to how you would like to see that funding spent?

Canadian Heritage committee  Okay. Obviously, my riding is in southern New Brunswick. It's Saint John—Rothesay, and there's not a high concentration of indigenous groups right in my riding. With respect to urban communities, how would you ensure that you reach them? How could they be included?

Canadian Heritage committee  How would the department select which groups to consult with? Would it just be a good cross-section of different groups?

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you.

Canadian Heritage committee  The bill will also provide the office of the commissioner of indigenous languages—the office—with the discretionary authority to undertake research and studies, in co-operation with Statistics Canada or Library and Archives Canada. Would these studies be carried out in collaboration with indigenous organizations?