Evidence of meeting #32 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was funding.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you, Mr. Galipeau.
We will now begin our second round.
Mr. D'Amours.
October 6th, 2009 / 10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I certainly would not say "do you understand?" to you. I would take care not to use these words.
Ms. Martin-Laforge, you said a little bit earlier that the applications had to be submitted sometime around October 15, for certain aspects of certain programs.
10:05 a.m.
Director General, Quebec Community Groups Network
Projects must be submitted in October. As for programming, it's November 16.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
We are now in October. The deadline is therefore in a few days. You said that you did not expect to receive any money before August. Previously, when you submitted an application in October, was it possible to receive confirmation before August?
10:05 a.m.
Director General, Quebec Community Groups Network
I cannot say it happened on a regular basis in the last 10 years, but in the last 2, 3 or 4 years, I don't remember people having received funding for projects before August or September. They did, however, receive confirmation. I believe that Mr.dePoe received his confirmation in—
10:05 a.m.
Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French - Québec, Quebec Community Groups Network
—June.
10:05 a.m.
Director General, Quebec Community Groups Network
However, he still has not received the funding for his project.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Lastly, it seems that the Government of Canada needs three or four months to write a cheque. If your project was approved, it means that, in principle, there is no problem. Nothing is missing, everything has been done well, the rules of government have been respected and so on. However, it takes three to four months to write a single cheque. It seems that perhaps it is the signing of the cheque which takes so much time.
10:05 a.m.
Director General, Quebec Community Groups Network
That's why there is the service standard issue, and I go back to Mr. Galipeau's comment. You're supposed to, within 30 days or within 60 days.... I think the service standard issue is important. If you get confirmation of a project in June, then within 30 days you should be able to count on getting a cheque. There might be a delay, but you write back and say that this is the delay or there's a problem.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
In any case, if you have any money left at the end of March 31, regardless of the year, you only have 30 days to send your cheque back. Otherwise, the Government of Canada will charge you interest.
10:05 a.m.
Director General, Quebec Community Groups Network
We never have money on the 31st.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
But we know that is the case with regard to minority language programs. It's a reality. In that case, you have 30 days to return the funding, otherwise you are charged interest; and the government does so without blinking.
Mr. dePoe, I think you mentioned that in the past your organization was receiving 50% of the money. Is that right?
10:05 a.m.
Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French - Québec, Quebec Community Groups Network
That's right.
I've only been in the organization for two and a half years. In previous years you received 50%. Once you've spent the 50% you submit your interim report. That's followed by a 40%, and there's a 10% holdback for the final report. That's standard.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
10:10 a.m.
Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French - Québec, Quebec Community Groups Network
Twenty-five per cent.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
So it's worse than it was in the past and you still have to present your interim report for September showing that you have spent 50% of what you--
10:10 a.m.
Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French - Québec, Quebec Community Groups Network
That would be--
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Or, not spend, but you have done 50% of what you mentioned in your application of October or November 2008?
10:10 a.m.
Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French - Québec, Quebec Community Groups Network
Yes.
This year was a bit of a unique situation for our organization in that we just finished a two-year funding agreement. We have a one-year extension with basically the same money and the same agreement. We are submitting a multi-year application next year to Canadian Heritage.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
You said the same money and the same application, but last year you received 50%, and the year before 50%?
10:10 a.m.
Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French - Québec, Quebec Community Groups Network
Yes. That's right.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
And this year 25%? So it's the same money, the same program, the same application, but you have been cut by 50% of the initial money you received usually?
10:10 a.m.
Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French - Québec, Quebec Community Groups Network
Yes, that's true.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
And at the end,
when you look at what really happens, if you do not receive your funding, it means that you will have to lay off employees. Whether it is Mr. dePoe or anyone else of the four people, there will be lay-offs.
When the time comes to put in an application in October or November, that's when things become difficult. The perverse effect of all of this is that at some point, you will not be able to even make an application anymore. Consequently, you will not receive any funding. The organization might simply disappear. Is that possible?
10:10 a.m.
Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French - Québec, Quebec Community Groups Network
That is possible. I have to say that this affects hiring. We can afford to hire a part-time employee. The person who held that position left because there were times we had trouble obtaining funding. So the person left to find a more stable job. So when we are hiring someone, we have to say that we are offering a part-time job and that sometimes we run into financial difficulty.