Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the member for Kamloops that I found his speech very interesting. I share his enthusiasm for small business and realize the importance of it. I am concerned about one particular item, community futures. I would like to have his expertise on this.
Taxpayers' money is being used by community futures. Granted, some of the businesses that apply do very well and have some excellent results. However a high rate of those businesses do not succeed and, at least in the ones I happened to scrutinize, there does not appear to be any accountability for losses. This is the taxpayers' money and I am sure taxpayers feel they should know how it is being spent. The Privacy Act seems to get in the way when we inquire about accountability.
I wonder what the member for Kamloops feels regarding losses in the community futures program and does he feel there should be some accountability?