Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The unemployment rate is 30% in your region. Are your federations putting forward any initiatives to develop entrepreneurship?
Very often, it is the entrepreneurial spirit, in addition to education, that counts for a lot and improves matters. In my region, we had a similar problem 30 years ago, and the authorities at the time implemented initiatives to enable people to take charge of their situation. Based on the resources and human capital available, people worked together to create their own jobs and develop businesses. There were fewer jobs at the time. Regardless of the time or place where you are in Canada, there comes a time when the unemployment rate is higher.
Today, the businesses that were established during that time are on their second generation, soon their third. A lot of initiatives involving the various orders of government have been put forward. I'm pleased to say that my region today has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada. A lot of businesses are flourishing there.
Are these kinds of initiatives being put in place in your riding?