Finance committee  Yes, thank you.

Finance committee  I would say that it's true in most cases. However, in some exceptional cases, the assistance measures didn't apply. For example, if a business launched in January 2020, before the pandemic hit in February or March 2020, it didn't have a financial model for establishing comparisons.

Finance committee  Thank you, Ms. Chatel.

Finance committee  Thank you for that excellent question, Mr. Ste‑Marie. Unfortunately, I must leave after answering it, since I need to get back to work. Our position on this issue is an open secret. We've already appeared in the media to ask the federal government to provide a clear action plan for the return of public servants.

Finance committee  Thank you for the invitation.

Finance committee  It's obviously a way to help heal an open wound. The Gatineau Chamber of Commerce and the Quebec tourism department are working very hard to make downtown Gatineau a prime destination, a gateway to the province of Quebec. We're also working hard to make Ottawa and Gatineau international tourist destinations.

Finance committee  Thank you.

Finance committee  A survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business last week showed that 14% of businesses were simply thinking of declaring bankruptcy. I wouldn't go so far as to make the connection with the blockades. However, let's just say that they significantly affected morale.

Finance committee  Given the circumstances, many people have decided to move on to new occupations. This has caused a labour shortage in businesses particularly affected by the pandemic, including the restaurant and tourism industry. I was talking with management at the Casino du Lac‑Leamy. They told me that they were having trouble finding employees because people had received training in other fields.

Finance committee  We are currently waiting to find out whether the government will include downtown Gatineau in its compensation initiative. The Gatineau Chamber of Commerce has not received any confirmation or notice indicating that this decision has been made. That explains what I have said today.

Finance committee  Thank you for the question. That was indeed the case. We suffered collateral damage. I do understand that Ottawa was the focal point and that the situation was extreme there, but downtown Gatineau was literally stormed. I will give you an example. Mr. Tremblay talked earlier about Valentine's Day.

Finance committee  That's right. Everyone was a bit excited in preparation for businesses to reopen. COVID‑19 had been with us for nearly two years. There was a first major loosening of restrictions, and businesses were expected to reopen. Just like children before a school break, everyone was somewhat excited, but then the situation got out of control.

Finance committee  That is what I've been told by restaurant owners I have talked to. People have started to return to work in offices, but many people decided to continue working from home. That creates all kinds of constraints in terms of reorganization, especially for businesses in the downtown area.

Finance committee  Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Stéphane Bisson, and I am president of the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for inviting me to appear. I would first like to specify, for those who don't know, that Gatineau is right on the other side of the river; it is the national capital's forgotten village.