There are things they are doing that fall within the act. There are things within the act that say they may do. There are some basic pieces within the act that we need to get back to, like I was saying.
It is right that it doesn't say gender-based analysis, but section 3(1)(e) within the Status of Women Council Act says that the council's purpose is to review policies and legislation affecting women and to report its finding to the relevant government departments or agencies. When I, Mr. Speaker, look at reviewing policies and legislation on things that affect women, again, I may be incorrect, but my interpretation of the act -- and the act is about interpretation -- says that that is gender-based analysis; so I want to bring them back to that.
Another piece of the act, section 3(1)(f), says: "To provide assistance to the Minister in promoting changes to ensure the attainment of equality of women." Section 3(1)(d): "To advise the Minister on issues that the Minister may refer to the council for consideration."
I hate to bring this out in public, but it is in public. When I did meet with them, I talked to them about my need to meet with them. For the last couple of years, I have been asking them to meet with me. They only had two meetings in Yellowknife, and each time they have had the meetings, they have been during session, which has made it really difficult for me to actually meet with them, except to go in and do a welcoming speech at lunch. They haven't been able to meet after session hours.
I did speak with them the other day and said that we need to have a face-to-face meeting, at least four hours. I am not sure how we can work together, the Status of Women Council and the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, if we can't meet in two years.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize for bringing this public, but it is in the public, and so that is what I want to do. I want to sit with them, regain back their original mandate, make sure that they are following the act, and make sure that we support each other as best as possible.