Official Languages committee  In terms of projects—perhaps I am oversimplifying in my analysis—, let me tell you about a current project that will include essential skills in a tourism program. At the end of the program or project, we will be able to say that a certain number of people were trained. Based on

Official Languages committee  That is actually done through the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, a skills assessment program designed by the OECD.

Official Languages committee  That might not have been done in all the provinces—and I am sticking my neck out here—, but I think certain provinces have been targeted for the evaluation of linguistic communities.

Official Languages committee  If I may, I would say that the reality in Quebec is somewhat different, but the situation of the linguistic minority community must not be overlooked. I agree with you.

Official Languages committee  That might be the other side of the coin.

Official Languages committee  One is with the Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes, or coalition for adult training in Ontario, and the other is with the organization AIDE, which evaluates the effect of essential skills on newcomers to francophone communities.

Official Languages committee  Our strategy will be to hold a very productive consultation in March.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  First, it is within the department itself. There are programs other than the OLES that work with official language minority communities. There is the enabling fund for official language minority communities, for instance, which focuses more on economic development.

Official Languages committee  To begin, it is within our department. It is easier to coordinate our approaches that way. We also hold discussions—at this stage, it is primarily discussions—with officials from Canadian Heritage. We have also had discussions with Industry Canada.

Official Languages committee  No.

Official Languages committee  Yes, of course. There are processes to be followed.

Official Languages committee  No, it is not a lack of funds that is stopping us.

Official Languages committee  When RESDAC had core funding, it received approximately $600,000 per year. It also received funding per project and the rest could be allocated to other organizations in the linguistic communities.

Official Languages committee  The $1.5 million was actually an average. Expenditures varied from year to year, depending on the stage of the projects or the time required for their approval. It is not always like clockwork, unfortunately.