Thank you for your question, Mr. Amos.
I know that you are a champion of CFDCs. We've had many opportunities to discuss the issue, you and I, and we have met with CFDC representatives. Thank you for your work in that regard.
It goes without saying that CFDCs are important, and that is for two reasons. First, always having the ability to support regional development is vital, and that development is only possible when delivered by and for the regions, by and for business owners in the regions.
Second, the federal government has never been so involved in people's lives, because of the pandemic and because of the suite of services and supports the government is providing.
We have a greater presence on the ground thanks to CFDCs and the support they are delivering to businesses and entrepreneurs, who can have a hard time getting in touch with their banks and credit unions, which are often located hundreds of kilometres away.
During the pandemic, our role has been to make sure businesses in the regions are financially protected. We instructed CFDCs to deliver another type of support; they have started providing microcredit, especially in Quebec's regions.