Official Languages committee  I would say that most of my time is spent on francophone businesses. I also work on projects where the individuals, francophones or anglophones, want to create a bilingual business in a bilingual community. At the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal, which is a collective enterprise, we have five practitioners, three of whom work full time.

Official Languages committee  Partnerships are being established. For example, there are universities that helped us do applied research. If we are doing a project in one region, they will get their students to contribute. For example, the universities can apply for research funding that we do not have access to.

Official Languages committee  In the real world?

Official Languages committee  I mentioned the entrepreneurial features. That doesn't mean that it's easy; it takes hard work to get there. What happened in Sault Ste. Marie left scars, but a lot of wounds have healed since then. When these events happened, I was personally involved in the francophone community, especially in the community component.

Official Languages committee  There are a lot of anglophones who have become francophiles because they love the language. They will find opportunities to shop in French, speak in French and relax in French. In any event, we are part of a reality. It's a fight every day in minority situations. I always told my children that they had to ask people for things in French, that they had to shop in French.

Official Languages committee  I have worked with a lot of groups. I have been able to see some characteristics in some entrepreneurial projects and not in others. First, the leaders who start the businesses, whether private or collective, must have a clear vision. They look forward in time, they see where they want to be in 5 years and in 10 years.

Official Languages committee  I am very familiar with the cooperative development initiative, the CDI, as someone who has submitted projects. We obtained funding to do feasibility studies, prepare business plans or provide support. As well, co-operatives that had obtained CDI funding used to meet annually at a forum where best practices and knowledge were shared.

Official Languages committee  Of the 41 recommendations, five deal with financing and investment. Very interesting things are happening. However, we do mention the possibility of establishing a similar program. The program did not involve huge sums of money. It cost a few thousand dollars and it was a strategic investment on the part of the federal government.

Official Languages committee  Around Canada, and even around the world, these kinds of businesses established by communities and for communities create many more jobs than just one. Sometimes, it is three, five, 10 or 20 jobs. In the Groupe Convex's case, it is 120 jobs. In the case of La maison verte, in Hearst, it is about 40.

Official Languages committee  That is a tragedy too. Little research has been done to gather information on co-operative practices and the spirit of collective enterprise. However, the secretariat was listing the number of businesses, their areas of activity and the value of their economic impact on the communities.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chair, honourable members of the committee, thank you. This is the first time I have taken part in a committee hearing, and I hope you will like what I have to say. As an entrepreneur, I thank you sincerely for giving me the opportunity to speak to you about a topic I am passionate about, which is the economy of minority francophone communities.