Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and thank you to everyone for joining us today.
I have a different view of social enterprise and social finance. My view is that I've never seen it as a replacement for services that governments are mandated to provide, whether they at the federal, the provincial, or even the municipal level. My experience with social enterprise is usually that some very creative people in the community have recognized a niche need for something to support, often a vulnerable population that probably is already served through basic social services. We already have those networks in place, but because of the unique circumstances they are in, they are participating in a social enterprise model that is perhaps providing job training, vocational support, and some educational opportunities.
I'll give you an example that I'm familiar with in the city of Mississauga. It's called “destination café” where a group came together that is providing housing for persons with mental illness issues, while having those people work in a café. They're getting a job and they're getting housing, and they're still getting basic supports through the Ontario disability support program, which provides direct income support. This supplements and provides a bit of a training opportunity and some permanent housing for them. We all know how important secure housing is for people to be able to get their lives turned around. I want to get both groups' feedback on that. Am I getting it right? Is that not the real idea and model of social enterprise? Are these kinds of niche or specific grounded type programs not a replacement for services that are being provided and mandated by government?
Maybe we'll start with Mr. Voyer, and then Dr. Weber you can comment, and that will probably be my five minutes, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you.