In terms of economic development, we recognize that there areas of shared jurisdiction. Ultimately, in Abitibi and across the country, people are looking for financial levers. They are very pleased to see that Canada Economic Development, or CED, is present and that the federal government can help them, through CED, the Business Development Bank of Canada, BDC, and, in general, through all the levers available to our entrepreneurs.
I have a very good relationship with the Legault government. In fact, I speak with Mr. Fitzibbon, the Minister of Economy and Innovation, several times a week. In his role as minister, he is responsible for Investissement Québec. We must always be able to look for as many partners as possible to support our different businesses.
I would say that, like you, I am a progressive. For me—and this relates to the question my colleagues asked earlier—the vision for economic development, especially through regional economic development agencies, is based on the value that I espouse, that is, the importance of equal opportunity.
By playing a role through our regional economic development agencies, we will most certainly be able to tackle one part of the problem which is, in short, the lack of economic opportunities in our rural areas as opposed to those that exist in our urban centres.