Yes. Thank you for giving me the chance to continue.
The second part is much shorter and deals with access to the jobs and growth fund, which is managed by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. The fund seeks to prepare businesses for the future, strengthen their resilience and prepare them for growth.
The program documents clearly state that indigenous‑led organizations and businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. However, when you dig a little deeper and check the applicant's guide, at the end of the list of ineligible clients, a note states that exceptions may be made for indigenous recipients. No details are provided regarding the nature of the exceptions. This lack of clarity discourages indigenous businesses from applying to the program.
We want Canada Economic Development to show more transparency, particularly by clarifying these exceptions and the eligibility criteria for the program. That way, by simply reading the information document, applicants could determine whether they're eligible. In our view, the changes would also ensure that applicants don't think that decisions are solely based on an official's judgment instead of on specific criteria. All this would help build the trust of first nations members in the government.