Official Languages committee  To answer your first question, we're assessing the possibility of granting a subsidy. However, it's very complicated, because a lot of people ask to take the test, but don't submit their immigration application. There are also people who take the test, but whose immigration application is rejected.

Official Languages committee  As a general rule, the people take the test before submitting their application, because the test results are part of the application.

Official Languages committee  I don't have much to add to my previous answers. I'd just like to note that we talk frequently with the people at TEF who are responsible for the French test. We encourage them in their work, and we're considering the possibility of subsidizing the exams. It will be expensive, but we're examining the options, and are preparing them.

Official Languages committee  That's a good question, and we will have to consider the possibility of subsidizing tests. I presume the most important thing is probably the regular availability of the tests, because the price difference, globally, is really not very high. For example, in Nigeria, the price difference is $28.

Official Languages committee  In Paris, it's less expensive. I presume that offering the tests regularly, each week rather than each month, in more cities and more locations—

Official Languages committee  Ms. Beck may wish to add, but my understanding of the 4% target is that it's based on the francophone population outside of Quebec at the time the standard was set, so it's to maintain that level.

Official Languages committee  Yes. I do want to take this opportunity to add very quickly that although it's been a big challenge over the last number of years—as civil servants we implement the policies of the government of the day—we certainly do have reason for optimism that we're going to increase that number dramatically.

Official Languages committee  There are two types of refugees. Refugees who are sponsored by the private sector arrive in the community where their sponsor is located.

Official Languages committee  Once they're here, they have permanent resident status. They can live in that community, or move. As for refugees sponsored by the government, it's the government that decides where they will settle. Linguistic proficiency is a factor taken into account when the decision is made, but other factors are also considered, such as the fact that the person has a relative in a given region.

Official Languages committee  We have done—

Official Languages committee  Yes, but I would like to clarify something about our points system. For both the French test and the English test, linguistic experts establish equivalencies in relation to Canadian standards. Accordingly, a grade of x on the TEF is equivalent to a grade ofy under Canadian standards.

Official Languages committee  We do a translation, but I know that the equivalency, as far as the TEF is concerned, is complicated.

Official Languages committee  It's why we have a group of language experts that gives its opinion on these questions, and helps us determine how many points must be granted to people as immigrants.

Official Languages committee  Yes, of course.

Official Languages committee  Okay.