Thank you very much.
Minister, speaking of northern Ontario, when you were in Sault Ste. Marie about a month and a half ago, you had the opportunity to have a round table with small business and tourism businesses. There were a lot of things that were discussed at that particular time, including FedNor. It actually has received an increase for the first time in a decade: $53 million over the last two years. In 2016 and 2017, it was $25 million and then $28 million.
You also heard about the strategic innovation funding for northern Ontario that Minister Bains brought: $87 million for the colleges and universities located in Timmins, Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay. You also had an opportunity to visit Bon Soo. Bon Soo is one of the best winter carnivals in Canada.
Minister, could you please share with this committee some of the remarks that you made in regard to small business and tourism as it relates to northern Ontario and all businesses across Canada?