William Amos at the Industry, Science and Technology Committee

On November 24th, 2020. See this statement in context.

November 24th, 2020 / 12:10 p.m.

Liberal

William Amos Liberal Pontiac, QC

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I very much appreciate Minister Bains and Minister Joly being with us today.

I listened attentively to the discussion between Minister Joly and the member for Abitibi—Témiscamingue about CFDCs.

I recall something oft-repeated by the Bloc Québécois during the 2019 election campaign: “We are Quebec. We are the regions.” Nevertheless, CFDCs are under federal jurisdiction and have been firmly rooted in Quebec's regions for a long time.

In the Gatineau valley, federally funded CFDCs have been in place for 40 years and have their own board of directors. That means they are firmly rooted in the region.

Minister Joly, by providing this extremely important funding to CFDCs, your department has expanded the opportunities available to small and medium-sized businesses as well as small communities. Could you comment on their appetite for those opportunities?

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