Yes, of course.
Thank you for your question, Ms. Chabot.
I'll speak more slowly.
Is the program well known? I think there are some differences between the business side of things and the charitable side. The SBCCI for the charitable section was administered to Black-led organizations. I think there were three: one in Ontario, one out west and one in Nova Scotia. They had record applications for some of the streams, so I think there was some greater awareness in terms of some grassroots outreach to charitable organizations to solicit applications from them.
However, I know there is a difference between.... Charitable organizations have been receiving grants and applying for grants for many years. We're more familiar with that system, whereas Black businesses haven't received support for decades, so I could see Alex speaking a bit more to the trend of businesses not being in the know. I, for one, oftentimes see grant applications for businesses and forward them to my entrepreneur friends, but yes, they're just not looking out for grants in the same way. I think that is one of the challenges.
To your second question around whether this program is meeting the goal of social inclusion, I would say that the funding over the past few years has focused on capacity building. I'm receiving funds to develop a digital infrastructure plan or a fundraising plan. That work, over time, will enable me to better serve the community and to create a space where Black Canadians feel they're represented, feel a sense of belonging and see artwork that reflects their stories and their narratives. Young people can connect with mentors, but the fund is not supporting that direct work. It's supporting the organization.
I would say that, no, that goal hasn't been achieved. There is an opportunity for this committee to refine and revise the program so that it can provide direct support to Black-led organizations to do that work, to create safe spaces, to connect them to the social capital that is necessary for them to move ahead in their careers and to offer them employment opportunities through the network of charities that have been supported through the federal government and the SBCCI program.
I would say that goal hasn't been reached, but it is within reach.