Industry committee  The answer is no. Our department has not done that kind of work. The tourism directorate of my branch consists of about 10 individuals, four economists. Our priority is to support the minister of state in the development of the federal tourism strategy. That's where an awful lot

Industry committee  Personally, I'd say that we're well aware...and we stay in close contact with the Canadian Venture Capital Association on this file. It's a very complex file. Their single greatest barrier to increased venture capital investment right now is the fact that the industry has not gen

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I can probably provide a few comments. I did touch on that in my opening remarks, which you unfortunately don't have. There's a memorandum of understanding between the Canadian Tourism Commission and the three territorial governments on a “Look Up North” campaign that provides a

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I do in the sense that the CTC is a research-based organization. It's marketing research, so it's really tested to see how well that's going to play with an international audience. In the case of the Olympics, I mean, it's just massive exposure. It's a once in a lifetime opport

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. In Nunavut, there are 17 clients with about $14.8 million in financing outstanding. In the last fiscal year they authorized four deals for $6 million. I don't have data offhand on the other territories. I can tell you, though, that they work quite c

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think it's a significant economic driver because it's a growth industry. When we look at patterns of tourism internationally, notwithstanding current economic difficulties, the forecast is for significant increases in tourism, as there are greater numbers of leisure travellers.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I do not. If there are such projections, I'll get back to the committee. We get the information essentially from Statistics Canada's tourism surveys. I don't believe they forecast, but I will confirm that with the committee clerk.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Do you want to try that?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I wouldn't hazard a guess, sorry.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, and it's not the first time this issue has been raised. In connection with a federal tourism strategy, we are trying to get federal departments and agencies to collaborate according to shared objectives. A component of that is getting rid of needless barriers and regulations

Government Operations committee  I would say it's important. Federal procurement is important, particularly to firms in certain sectors of the economy. You will find in aerospace defence that it is a lot more important than in some of the service sectors with which I'm familiar. The other point I'd make is that

Government Operations committee  The only other point I'd add is international benchmarking, so that we stay in touch with peers in other OECD countries and with countries in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. They have various study plans, supported by secretariats. Again, it's not an issue that's particularly

Government Operations committee  The most important way the federal government influences venture capitalists is through the Business Development Bank of Canada. There is the ongoing tax credit for LSVCCs, labour-sponsored venture capital corporations, but the BDC has been investing at a rate of $110 million per

Government Operations committee  I think when we benchmark against some of the best venture industries in the world, we'll find that they're funded by institutional investors. They're naturals for investing for the long-term cycles required to realize venture capital investments. I think the question would be, h

Government Operations committee  They have. I have a couple of thoughts. The first is that as director general of small business responsibilities, it is a horizontal file. It's one of the most difficult in government to advance because you tend to look up the line to your particular ministerial priorities and e