You are quite right, Mr. Godin: we have to get our priorities right. We have to ensure that there is proper funding for community organizations. We suffered a great deal because of the sponsorship scandal and the fact that some programs were poorly run. To some extent, we became suspect. We were blamed to some extent, even though we had nothing to do with the problems, because we were very transparent in the way we ran things. The public money we spend is justified by the many efficiency reports we have to submit. It costs us about $2,000 in accounting fees every year to ensure that every penny got from Heritage Canada or the federal government through various programs was spent properly.
That is what is happening, and this is a major crisis for grassroots community organizations. I very much liked what Mr. Grenier and Mr. Potié had to say. The situation exists in that area as well. Heaven knows we need a healthy francophone press, because when we cannot talk to each other, it is difficult to get the younger generation to take up the torch. It is hard to fight assimilation. All the tools that were put in place have to be used. The money must be available. Francophones outside Quebec are not merely referendum material. People love us a lot when Quebeckers are making a decision about their future. However, between referendums, our funding is cut off, and we are unable to do our work. The work we do is very important because we know what the needs of our community are. We ensure that government funding is spent effectively and properly.
I will now turn the floor over to Mr. Lacroix.