Industry committee  If it's to businesses, it would be non-interest bearing, and no security. If it's to communities or non-profit, it would be a non-repayable contribution.

Industry committee  All employees currently employed with ECBC will be transferred over. In the matter of the investigation, that is something that I can't speak to, it's ongoing. But upon royal assent, all employees of the crown corporation will become employees of ACOA or Public Works and Government Services.

Industry committee  I can't speak to the investigation. This is a matter that is under way, it's confidential, but it has no bearing on this transaction. This is a separate transaction and all employees of ECBC will be rolled into the public service.

Industry committee  Yes, the ECBC programs will be terminated. What we will offer in Cape Breton will be the ACOA suite of programs: the business development program, the innovative communities fund, and the Atlantic innovation fund. These programs are flexible in nature and should allow us to deliver and respond to the needs of Cape Breton.

Industry committee  ECBC currently has a board appointed by the Governor in Council—

Industry committee  They will not. That board will be abolished.

Industry committee  There will be no amalgamated board. ECBC has a board of directors that will be terminated upon the dissolution of ECBC.

Industry committee  I don't have the specific number of board members on ECBC's board. On the ACOA—

Industry committee  Yes.

Industry committee  There will be no amalgamated board. They have a very different board than ACOA. ECBC has a board that is a decision-making board. ACOA has an advisory board, and under division 9, we are proposing the abolishment of that advisory board, following royal assent, if both divisions are included in the approved bill.

Industry committee  The legislation provides for the termination of the CEO appointment, so he will no longer be employed when the bill receives royal assent.

Industry committee  Yes.

Industry committee  To answer that, I would have to go back to the creation of the advisory board. When the agency was created in 1987, it really needed a systematic approach to seek out feedback from people outside the public service. Things have changed since then. Now, we regularly organize consultations that are a bit like round tables.

Industry committee  The HR obligations resulting from DEVCO operations will be transferred to Public Works and Government Services. They would be managing and making decisions on the future of these responsibilities.

Industry committee  They're responsible for managing, yes.