Industry committee  I was talking earlier about non-profit organizations. Those are very structured organizations. I don't know all the names by heart, but there are organizations that specifically deal with networking and with supporting the companies that manufacture aluminum, for instance. There are also some that work more in innovation.

Industry committee  We are focusing on green technologies. We will also focus on supporting indigenous groups and small businesses that are already robust, but that we would like to further develop. Quebec had the gazelles program a few years ago; today, that's the PerforME program. That is for companies that are fairly well established, but that need additional support to achieve high performance.

Industry committee  We work a lot with industry clusters. There is a great deal of optimism. For instance we are venturing into the aerospace industry. A lot of Quebec companies are developing composite materials and they are improving by the day. I also talked about INO, an organization from Quebec that provides services in optics-photonics.

Industry committee  I can start answering the question. Yes, it is always a combination. We lend money to a company, and the company has a certain number of years to pay the loan back without interest. In some cases, such as non-profit organizations, the contribution is non-reimbursable. If memory serves, that happens in about 45% of cases.

Industry committee  I will let my colleague answer. However, I can tell you that the non-payment rate is very low and comparable to that of the industry.

Industry committee  We are actually starting to work more with universities, but non-profit organizations are also major players. For instance, we support Écotech Québec, an organization that connects small businesses that develop clean technologies with larger promoters that could use those new technologies, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Industry committee  I knew Mr. Baylis could help me out.

Industry committee  That is a very important initiative in Quebec.

Industry committee  I will have to give you the same answer as my colleague: I don’t have all the data here. However, a lot of high-tech companies also come to us. We could forward that information to the committee later, if it so wishes.

Industry committee  We pretty much have the same types of programs. We support start-ups, companies that have already proven their technological abilities and have already done work in research and development. If the projects are interesting, we are going to support them. Our assistance is not for product development, the basics, if you will.

Industry committee  I would be very pleased if those kinds of companies came to meet with us. Some have done so before and we are currently supporting them.

Industry committee  Quebec has a major aerospace industry that operates as a cluster. They share information about the development of alloys and composite materials, aerospace products. Let me also point out that Quebec City is showing interest in the optophonic sector—I’m not sure whether that’s the right word.

Industry committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Let me just quickly go back to one issue. In my presentation, I mentioned that we were carrying out an extensive consultation exercise with the regions, businesses, universities, municipalities and indigenous groups. We truly want to know what the various players expect from the CED, in preparation for our next five-year plan from 2016 to 2021.

Industry committee  The process in place is pretty much the same.

Industry committee  I think that is mainly directed to me, so I will start.