Official Languages committee  I will ask Mr. Lavoie to answer in my place. I appreciate your question. Unfortunately, I miscalculated my time this morning and I have to attend a very important meeting that is starting at 10:30 a.m. They are going to be waiting for me. I really do apologize. I am enjoying the

Official Languages committee  In any case, we are not trying to repeat what is already been done. Across Canada, it varies depending on the structure of each region. We certainly are not trying to do what others are doing already or to interfere with their accomplishments. We are also working with the Collè

Official Languages committee  Speaking of active offer, Mr. Lavoie referred to the Agriculture Canada Vision program. The program involved giving a small grant of $25,000 to rural communities to hire a professional consultant who would help them define their assets, their needs, what the future held, what thr

Official Languages committee  I don't think so, at least not with specific targets. I think that this was done, but with Canadians generally. If we agree that we need to target minority communities and that sometimes we need to refine the program or provide an active offer, and promote that offer, it's more a

Official Languages committee  Yes. You are right, I do represent RDÉE Canada, but I will ask Roger Lavoie whether he can provide some details about what we have done in your region. While he is collecting his notes, I would just say that generally speaking francophones live more in rural communities than i

Official Languages committee  They are fascinating topics, but unfortunately I specialize in economic development. As with anyone else, I'm engaged in many other activities, and this includes involvement with school boards. Financially speaking, we have a huge organization, and it works well. The federal gov

Official Languages committee  You have given me a perfect opening, Mr. Murphy. You are invited to come here, to Ottawa, on the 10th of November for a Laurier Awards celebration for small- and medium-sized businesses in francophone and Acadian communities. This has been done in some provinces, in New Brunswick

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm going to call on Roger Lavoie, the Director General of our organization, to make a short formal presentation. We would then be pleased to answer your questions.

Official Languages committee  Thank you.