Mr. Speaker, the original languages agreement that was signed by this government was done a long time ago. The new one was done by this government, and I accept responsibility as a Member of Cabinet, for the way it came down.
If she is asking me if I have specifically phoned the Minister of Justice and pleaded with him to use his good offices to pressure Paul Martin's office not to reduce the funding levels for this government, I have not done that specifically.
All federal Ministers are aware that we have great concerns with the funding level that we are being asked to accept. We have indicated to the Premier's office, the Minister's office, the Prime Minister is aware, so is the federal Minister of Finance, that much of the cuts that are expected of us, now and over the next year or so, are going to be very, very difficult for us. And if there is any way possible, we would like to be spared the pain, but that is not possible. So, we have to at least go through the exercise of trying to reduce.
Again, I say that Members have to be aware that reductions are coming. And they have to help in telling us where they think we can afford to reduce and not just object to every suggestion that we make. At some time or another, we have to form a partnership; a partnership where the ordinary Members tell us the areas where they would support reductions and not just tell us the areas that they refuse to consider reductions. Because as I say, it is going to be an increasingly difficult problem for all of us. Thank you.