Hello.
My name is Jolin Ferland, and I work for the Réseau des SADC et CAE, the same organization that Mr. Cimon just talked about.
I don't want to repeat what Mr. Cimon said. I simply want to add that the federal government implemented SADCs and CAEs many years ago, thirty years ago to be exact. SADCs and CAEs are a wonderful gateway for the federal government to every region of Canada.
We are calling on the government to make better use of our network so that we can help small communities, local businesses and local development projects. We want our small communities to survive. It is therefore important for the government to invest in our network. We have members all across Canada. Use them.
As Mr. Cimon said, we have been short of funding since 2003, and we will be making representations in that regard in the coming months.
Today, as we speak, a meeting called “Day on the Hill" is being held in Ottawa, and more than 100 representatives of our organizations are there to talk to federal MPs. As for us, we wanted to be here this morning to also make our voice heard as part of these consultations.
We cannot make all of our representations today. That is why I suggest that you contact Hélène Deslauriers, the executive director of the Réseau des SADC et CAE, who will explain what we are requesting as part of these consultations.
We want to be included in the federal government's 2019 budget.
Thank you.