Thank you.
I completely agree with you. CFDCs are vital. Three CFDCs are active in the riding of Pontiac: the Pontiac CFDC, the Papineau-Collines CFDC and the Gatineau valley CFDC. All three benefited from an infusion of some $1.5 million during the pandemic. As you mentioned, it's a long-term investment given that the funding is being recycled, so to speak, through the region's small and medium-sized businesses. Currently, they have access to $40,000 loans, and if they repay $30,000 by the end of 2022, they will benefit from $10,000 in loan forgiveness. What's more, the $30,000 that is repaid will be reinvested. I think that's extremely important.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you, Minister, for being such an ardent supporter of CFDCs. I would also like to thank the entire network of CFDCs in Quebec for their tireless efforts. They do fantastic work, and it just goes to show what an important role the federal government plays in the everyday lives of people in the regions. In the past, we have seen the province scale back regional investments—hence, the significance of this federal support.