The principles in substantive equality in clause 9 are very important. They're also in the preamble.
In a way, I view part of this provision as the Jordan's principle provision without naming Jordan's principle. I'm not sure exactly why we can't. I think there are some statutory construction rules that prohibit naming people in legislation, although I'd like to suggest you'd make an exception—as the national chief has proposed—and name Jordan's principle.
On the issue about statutory funding, out of an abundance of caution and given the conflicts that have happened in the past, I think it would be very important to have a free-standing provision on funding in this bill. I think the preamble provision on the call for funding should probably be migrated into an actual provision in the bill, likely after clause 15.
The substantive equality provisions may in fact be used to argue about funding because we've had these cases—and I'm sure you are familiar with these cases, such as the CN case, the Auton case and others—where meaningful realization of equality requires resources. A railway car has to accommodate those with disabilities. Children with autism cannot not be funded and not be in classrooms.
I just raise for you the fact that there are things that allude to standards and substantive equality here. It is possible. Your question is correct. It is possible to construct an argument, but I think a provision would be preferred.