Industry Committee on Nov. 27th, 2012

[Thao Pham]

To answer your question, I would say that cooperatives are eligible for CED programs. In fact, we have a number of projects that target cooperatives, such as projects aimed specifically at supporting a community or businesses. There are a number of examples. I think cooperatives are very aware of what's available.

On the agency's end, we provide ongoing training to our advisors to make them aware of the opportunities that exist, and topics like this are also addressed. As you pointed out, this is the International Year of Cooperatives, with the summit happening just recently. It was quite successful. It had the effect of boosting cooperatives' interest in using federal programs like ours.

So we are very open to the movement.

[Hélène LeBlanc, NDP, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Thank you kindly. I will share that information with my fellow members so they can pass it along to cooperatives.

Are you aware of whether others— Oh, no, I will put that question to other people. Thank you.

Does the Web site indicate whether small cooperatives, emerging cooperatives or well-established ones can apply for programs?

[Thao Pham]

Yes, that information is very clear on the Web site. I encourage you to have a look at it and to tell cooperatives to do so as well.

[Hélène LeBlanc, NDP, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Very well.

Thank you kindly.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you, Madame.

Are there any other questions for our witnesses?

Go ahead, Mr. Regan.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Industry Canada website outlines....

Perhaps you prefer French?

[Luce Perreault]

We have interpreters.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

I will try speaking French.

Industry Canada's Web site lists savings measures by program activity, in the additional figures pertaining to the implementation of the 2012 budget.

[Luce Perreault]

Yes, we have that.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Point 3.3 lists the planned savings under the heading “Community Economic Development”. Those savings will gradually increase over the coming years, reaching $5.5 million.

How much will the agency be asked to contribute to that initiative? Nothing?

[Luce Perreault]

That's for Industry Canada, so it's part of Industry Canada's programs.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

It doesn't apply to your agency, then.

[Luce Perreault]

No.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Thank you very much.

I'm going to switch to English, if you don't mind.

The estimates indicate that each regional development agency transferred $150,000 to the Treasury Board Secretariat to provide funds for “horizontal and core control audit services”. Why was this necessary and how does it differ from past practices?

I'll let you answer that first. I have some time, I think.

Did you understand my question?

[Luce Perreault]

Yes, perfectly. That's one of our measures. Earlier, you asked which measures would help us achieve greater efficiencies, and what our reduction measures were. In fact, from now on, the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada will perform our internal audits. We used to have an internal team that did it. From now on, however, the comptroller general's office will provide that service.

The Office of the Comptroller General of Canada already has a role serving small agencies and a team in place. Of course, as you see, we aren't the only regional development agency moving that service over. Their office will serve all of the agencies. So it involved additional costs for the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada. That was the context for the permanent transfer of funding to the comptroller general's office, thereby allowing it to perform the internal audit function for us.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Is it a one-time transfer, being done only once?

[Luce Perreault]

Yes. Actually, it's once a year. It's ongoing.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

It will continue into the future, then.

[Luce Perreault]

Yes, absolutely.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Very well.

How much did the agency spend on all advertising in the last fiscal year?

[Thao Pham]

I will check that and get back to you with an answer later. To my knowledge, we did not spend anything on advertising.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Okay.

Do you have an advertising budget for this year?

[Thao Pham]

Not this year, either.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Not a cent? Nothing?

[Luce Perreault]

No.