Thank you, Chair. Since you used up some of my three minutes, I don't have much time.
I'd still like to address you very quickly, Mr. LeBlanc, because you touched on a few things I'd like to come back to.
Twenty years ago, we didn't talk about a continuum of French-language studies. Only primary and secondary studies could be done in French, a mortal sin. We spent years clamouring for access to post-secondary studies in French and finally got it.
You referred to the Official Languages in Education Program, or OLEP, and I appreciate your comments on the subject.
In 2005, I became superintendent of a French-language school board. I met with representatives of the Department of Canadian Heritage, who told me that, in order to obtain funding, the process was generally like in the Meech Lake Accord: you need the agreement of seven provinces and 51% of the vote, and that I had no chance of succeeding. So “discretionary” slots had to be created.
I still want to raise the issue of bilateral funding.
You talked about relationships with the provinces, which is very important. In 2016–2017, the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones signed the Strategic Plan on French-Language Education.
This plan included, if I can put it this way, a simple obligation for the provinces to make sure they consult with provincial school boards and highlight their priorities before establishing funding. Certain issues could then be addressed during the consultations. They were thus obliged to consult school boards to highlight their priorities in order to help them build an action plan under the new OLEP.
Since you referred to it, can you tell me if this is how things are done? Perhaps we should reopen this issue to allow access to the provinces and territories?