Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the department's allocation was reduced in the deficit reduction program, all of the areas of the department were looked at to determine what level of reduction they could withstand. In fact, the reductions were not applied equally across the board. The reductions were applied ranging anywhere from 25 percent to zero percent. In the area of special needs in the formula, funding was increased in spite of the fact that the department's total allocation had been reduced. I must say, we are talking about a significant need here. It is not one that can be met by moving the amount of money that we have, from the programs that the Member has referred to.
We have heard from people across the north that we cannot let the arts programs be totally cut as this government goes through reduced funding allocations. I have not heard from any other Members of this House that they would like to see that happen. I do know that when we appeared in front of the standing committees to present our business plan, there has been a recognition that we have had to cut in the areas like culture, more than in areas like special needs and that has been supported by the Members. There has been no support for complete elimination of cultural programs.
It is important to point out that culture has to be reflected, not only as a separate part of the department, but in the work in the school. Schooling is only effective if it reflects the cultures of the people who are being schooled. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that suggestion is workable. I am certainly prepared to raise this issue with the standing committee when we next discuss our business plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.