Good morning, gentlemen. It is quite an interesting experience to listen to you this morning, mainly Mr. Grenier.
I must admit that I am dumbfounded to see to what extent the sponsorship scandal injected a sense of paranoia within the machinery of government. It is becoming increasingly obvious. You're suffering from this, and so are several organizations in Quebec, mainly festivals, etc. I'm wondering how we will manage this. It is just deplorable to see a political scandal having this effect on people who are acting in good faith to advance their causes.
Mr. Grenier, you said that program criteria were hampering francophone communities. What I've gathered is that we don't really understand what you're going through. Our committee should perhaps get involved in looking at programs in greater detail after we have completed our travels. It would be important to see how we could support communities. Given the shortage of available funds, it is important to use what we have as efficiently as possible.
Mr. Grenier, you said that the Dion plan has had no effect on communities, that it was perhaps more harmful than anything else. If the plan really was ineffective in your case and for your communities, what do you have to suggest? What amendments should be made?