Thank you, Mrs. Chatel.
It is critical for businesses to be on the cutting edge of the green transition, because it is about preparing for the future and moving to a new economy. In 2022 and soon in 2023, we cannot continue as we did even before the pandemic. So we have to change our mentality and our practices. Obviously, there is a cost to this. I would even draw a parallel, Mrs. Chatel, if I may, with the succession in business. Aging companies must transform their business model to allow young entrepreneurs or potential successors to come and be part of this process.
It is wrong to think that companies that act like they did 10 years ago are going to be attractive in the marketplace. It simply is a matter of competitiveness. Since they have a foothold in communities and businesses, the SADCs and CAEs know very well their needs. They can offer support either by referring businesses to existing programs or by developing new programs. This was the case for the Going Green program, implemented by our network in collaboration with Canada Economic Development.