Bear in mind as well that there must also be a balance in terms of jobs. Government employees, in other words public servants, will need to be transferred to achieve that balance on both sides of the river. In fact, we provided you with a report illustrating that.
Having said that, I would now like to raise another issue. In 2000, the federal government purchased about 0.5 of 1% of its goods and services on the Quebec side, compared to 99.5% from the Greater Ottawa Area. In 2004, we had reached 6 or 7% on the Quebec side. From the perspective of equity between the two, are steps being taken to ensure that more goods and services are being purchased on the Gatineau side?
I would like to tell you about a problem we are currently facing. Two examples come to mind, but I will not name anyone. There are cases where small- and medium-sized businesses have opened offices in Ottawa, but also in Gatineau. They bought two offices and opened branch offices. People go to see them in Ottawa, but not in Gatineau, even though they are selling the same product.
Could you tell me if the department has a plan for the procurement of goods and services from small- and medium-sized companies, one that respects the 25-75% balance between the two sides of the river?