As you pointed out, a lot of programs are coming up for renewal. Recently, in departments like Canadian Heritage, delays in funding were being attributed to the fact that many programs are coming up for renewal. I know that is not your responsibility. You are doing your job. We'll see how the government does its job when the time comes to discuss these things. However, it is worrying to hear that many programs are now being evaluated because, in some cases, it could be difficult to continue funding them. We'll see whether the government is willing to continue along the same lines.
Ms. Collette, the Seed Capital Program for young entrepreneurs was created by ACOA in 1997. I am very well acquainted with it, having managed that program in my own area. The program begins on April 1, but the funding was only announced on October 9. Therefore, between April 1 and October 9, CBDCs in New Brunswick and the three corporations in Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John were unable to glean any information as to the status of funding under the Seed Capital Program. As I understand it, any funds that have not been expended by March 31, 2010 might be available later in 2010.
The purpose of this program is to help entrepreneurs start up a new business. But the best time of the year to start up a new business is between the 1st of April and September or October. You don't start up a business in November, December, January or February. It's a lot more difficult then. So, I find the situation somewhat ironic. This is a very good program that helps young entrepreneurs get into business. It is even more important in the midst of an economic crisis, when entrepreneurs are being asked to help kick-start the economy.
At the same time, the organizations responsible for administering and managing the program are being told that, unfortunately, there will be a slight delay in terms of letting people know whether they will receive money or not. As a result, they are being asked not to implement any programs for entrepreneurs, because they don't know what the money is going to be used for.
The announcement was actually made on October 9 in New Brunswick. Prior to October 9, there was a total vacuum. That is unacceptable, because the government has said over and over again that SMEs will be vitally important in kick-starting the economy, and that this has got to happen immediately, not 10 years from now. But this is not a new program. As I was saying earlier, it was first implemented in 1997 to help young entrepreneurs start up a business and create jobs in their community.