Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First of all, I would like to thank the witnesses who have joined us through videoconference.
I am not a member of this committee; I am replacing my colleague Pierre Nantel. I am a member of the Standing Committee on Health. However, I am a former international athlete. I have always loved team sports. I used to play handball. My children were born here and, when I wanted to get them to play sports, because I thought it was important, unfortunately I discovered that, in amateur sports, parents were the ones who volunteered. My daughters started to play soccer. I pushed them a little in that direction. However, I found that there was a problem with the volunteers and I was very surprised. In fact, volunteers meant instability. But in my view, developing the skills of people so that they become professionals requires follow-up from the bottom up.
Could you tell me what measures have been taken by the federal government over the past few years to find amateur coaches?
I was also an athlete in my country of origin. The pool, the schools, produced international athletes. I was not able to address this issue because I did not have a chance to talk to the two witnesses, but I have to say that, although amateur coaches trained the athletes to begin with, those who reaped the benefits were professional coaches at an international level. But I found that this situation was unfair for some amateur coaches.
So could you tell me what is required of a professional coach, on the one hand, and of an amateur coach, on the other hand? My question is for both of you.
Thank you.