We at La Coop fédérée think it is important for the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat to be transferred to Industry Canada. That belief is based on Quebec's experience. Cooperatives should be the responsibility of Industry Canada, which develops businesses. That body often establishes policies. It presents programs to the House of Commons for developing companies in Canada and stimulating the economy. It has budgets for developing companies. Cooperatives are another form of business and are attached to an agricultural department. We could end up with different policies.
Let's consider Quebec's experience. That province put its department of industry and commerce in charge of relations with cooperatives. That enables department people to develop policies that apply to all types of businesses. We see that as an advantage because some of Industry Canada's budgets may be distributed among cooperatives and other companies.
However, I understand why, historically, the Canadian government has put the department of agriculture in charge of cooperatives. One hundred years ago, the country's development actually went through the agri-food industry. The Fathers of Confederation felt that cooperatives were part of the agricultural industry. That was logical then. However, in 2012, issues related to energy cooperatives have little to do with the department of agriculture. The reality has changed along with the era.