Canadian Heritage committee  I was not part of the discussions leading to the agreement known as ACE. I am not very familiar with what went on before. However, I can tell you that the government has initiated a process under which Italian Canadian organizations can apply for grants specifically to commemorat

Canadian Heritage committee  — no umbrella organization in Canada that represents all Italians. There is no Italian community. There are Italians who—

Canadian Heritage committee  There are a lot of Italian communities that are very different from one another. Does favouring one organization mean that it represents the Italian community? I am not sure about that at all.

Canadian Heritage committee  Some measures are already in effect to address the grievances of the Italian community. What we have to know is whether the bill does better than those measures.

Canadian Heritage committee  I could perhaps add that officials from the Department of Canadian Heritage attend our meetings and communicate our decisions to the minister.

Canadian Heritage committee  The committee was established last year. It has three members. We have had two meetings so far.

Canadian Heritage committee  But Mr. Di Iulio is heavily involved in a major Italian-Canadian organization in Toronto.

Canadian Heritage committee  The Columbus Centre. Mr. Papa is well known in the Italian community in Montreal.