I would very much appreciate that, Mr. Bilodeau.
Can you also tell us whether Telesat is a supplier of the Government of Canada? I imagine it is.
Another thing I'd like to know is whether the company works as a consultant as well. If so, how much of the $150 million in business Telesat reported last year is for consultation work?
In a September 23 Journal de Montréal article, Francis Gosselin reported that Telesat expected to launch 198 satellites instead of the planned 200.
When the Lightspeed satellite project is complete, do you think it will be profitable?
I ask because, as a business owner, I've applied for government funding before, whether through the economic development agency or other partners. I had to provide a business plan. Obviously, I had to show that my proposal was viable and that I'd be able to repay the money I was borrowing.
The department gave out loans. The minister clearly explained to us earlier that he was borrowing at an interest rate of 2% and lending at a rate of 10%.
Does it say in the business plan Telesat gave you when the company will be profitable? We don't quite know when the 198 satellites in question will be in operation. I imagine it's going to take a few years.
At what point will the company be profitable enough to start repaying the interest and loans to the government?