Thank you very much, Mr. Harris.
I find it rather untoward that most people get to speak.... Anyway, we'll deal with that some other way, perhaps in camera today.
We won't have time for an answer, so perhaps in writing, to all the witnesses, if you don't mind, I'd like to know your opinion on what the role of large, long-established business co-ops is in either helping or creating start-ups--in terms of expertise and knowledge, and in terms of capital or financing.
I've been involved in one situation where a caisse populaire would not lend to a co-op. I had to personally guarantee the loan for the co-op to get their money in order to keep growing--and they paid back the loan. So I hope they have a bit of egg on their face. However, I found that it was rather awkward for a co-op not to be willing to finance another co-op.
So I want to know if you believe the large, established co-ops have a role, and what it is. If you could send that in, I would very much appreciate it, as I suspect my colleagues would as well.
If I have a few more seconds, Ms. Gallant, if you could find out from that gentleman what the tax advantage is, I think that would be useful for us as well.
Thanks.