Yes, thank you, Deputy, and thank you, Chair.
The issue of flexibility was paramount. As you know, there were flexibilities introduced into CERB to allow classes of artists to have access, such that temporary workers were now eligible. The wage subsidy was hugely helpful. Even the business loans were helpful. But we were very clear in our parameters that we had to be consistent with those measures and could not duplicate the application of measures.
As the deputy mentioned, the issue of working on an attestation really fast-tracked things by adding flexibilities in the civil service to be able to manage this process without compromising accountability. That is always a tricky situation, but I think we have a very good story to account for. We have a record base; this is all a very much documented process. That has really helped.
I think the cultural organizations have appreciated that flexibility. CERB has helped a lot on the employment front. Our measures have helped to maintain the structural integrity of organizations as they were undergoing very difficult times, so that they will ready when we discuss recovery issues are ready to “relaunch” the economy, as we call it, while not forgetting that throughout this period the creative sector has been extremely innovative in trying to provide artistic expression while the pandemic is taking place..
I think we've acted on multiple fronts and, of course, we're not the only actors in that. There have been contributions from the provinces and municipalities as well. They have contributed significantly also, so it has really been a joint effort.