Status of Women committee  We have a monitoring function, not just for private members' bills but for legislation generally. If we see legislation coming that we think is going to have an impact on official languages, on minority language communities, it's specifically part of the mandate—it's our job—to stick our hand up and say, “Here's something you haven't taken into account.”

Status of Women committee  As I say, it really depends. Certainly if the government is determined to take action in a certain direction.... Let's put it this way. I have not had any indication that the government is reconsidering the decision to transfer coordination of official languages from Canadian Heritage back to the Privy Council Office.

Status of Women committee  Sure. When I was appointed by Parliament a year and a half ago, although I had spent a significant part of my career covering official languages in terms of policy in Quebec and in the federal government, I felt I was not equally familiar with the situation in official language communities.

Status of Women committee  It is made up of representatives—

Status of Women committee  In total resources for the activities, we have 177 full-time employees, or FTEs—that's the phrase; I'm still new at this game. Basically, for compliance assurance, it's $9.133 million; for policy and communications, $10.773 million; and then the balance is for corporate services, legal services, and the commissioner's office.

Status of Women committee  We have five regional offices, plus there are satellite offices that report through those regional offices. The regional offices are in Moncton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Toronto. Vancouver is a one-person operation that reports through Edmonton, Regina reports to Winnipeg, and Sudbury reports to Toronto.

Status of Women committee  Yes. The last time I appeared before the panel, the members were Ms. Lavallée, from the Bloc Québécois, Paul Dewar, from the NDP, Derek Lee and Mr. Szabo from the Liberal Party and Ms. Ablonczy from the Conservative Party. There were other members as well, but I cannot think of their names right now.

Status of Women committee  So far, the panel has met when we request additional funding. Initially, we thought we would appear before the panel to introduce ourselves, but, in the end, we had to set up the access to information and internal audit service, so when we appeared before the panel, it was to request funding for these new responsibilities.

Status of Women committee  I only appeared before the panel once, and our request was approved. So far, we have only appeared with regard to budget submissions for specific activities. For example, there is some pressure on our infrastructure, and we have to renew our internal technology. We are looking at funding requirements.

Status of Women committee  Theoretically, yes.

Status of Women committee  Some people are of the view that officers of Parliament are better protected by the executive than by parliamentarians. The parliamentary panel is chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons. The members are parliamentarians who have respect for the duties of officers of Parliament.

Status of Women committee  There is no other source of revenue.

Status of Women committee  I'm sorry. I misunderstood your question, then. There is no other source of revenue.

Status of Women committee  In that sense, we won't, no.

Status of Women committee  That's correct.