Government Operations committee  There are a variety of measures. Canada has a very low adoption rate in regard to SMEs as compared to, for example, the United States. Much less of our economic commerce is done via technology. I know the industry committee has been having hearings on the issue of e-commerce, and I think will provide a report shortly.

Government Operations committee  I wish I had an answer to that conundrum. We've had a number of different people or bodies looking into the issue of commercialization. Some of the answers that have emerged are that Canadians, compared to Americans, for example, are not as taken with entrepreneurship. Canadians are slightly less risk-oriented than Americans are.

Government Operations committee  I must go back. You mentioned Budget 2009, which contained this envelope of $2 billion spread over two years, in other words, $1 billion in the first year and $1 billion in the second year. The government decided to delay a part of these funds. It was part of the $2 billion. It was a scheduling and timing issue.

Government Operations committee  The $243 million must be deducted from the $2 billion.

Government Operations committee  This money will be spent this year, between April 1 and October 30, because people could not complete a certain number of projects on time for a variety of reasons, for example, the floods in Manitoba. I think you will hear the same findings later on from the Department of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities officials since they faced the same problem.

Government Operations committee  The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative is funded by two main sources. The first source of funding is the main estimates, which allocates approximately $135 million or $140 million, and the second source of funding consists of reimbursements from old programs, such as Technology Partnerships Canada.

Government Operations committee  Sometimes the difference between the political perspectives of various parties can be very narrow. However, I will still try to answer the question. One of the elements is the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, for which the government asked for approval of approximately $250 million.

Government Operations committee  This foundation is a third party providing help and encouragement to young entrepreneurs who do not have much experience but who have good business plans and need support to launch their businesses. It is well managed and it is an excellent organization. The government has been supporting it for the last three years.

Government Operations committee  It is meant for young people. As I said, this is often the first bit of assistance they get. Once they get a bit more experience, they can contact the Business Development Bank of Canada, which may support them. When people are young, fresh out of university and need some support because they have good ideas, new companies are often launched thanks to this type of investment.

Government Operations committee  This federal government program totals approximately $2 billion. The $250 million is a part of supplementary estimates (B), which you have in front of you. It represents the last part devoted to the projects that had not been completed by the end of the fiscal year, in other words, March 31, 2011.

Government Operations committee  Yes.

Government Operations committee  This program has existed for approximately 15 years. Fifteen years ago, it was much more important and useful since far fewer people had computers and very few people were connected to the Internet. Now 98.5% of the population has access to the Internet and is connected one way or another.

Government Operations committee  We are working together with many partners to develop a digital strategy including various components.

Government Operations committee  The Digital Economy Strategy has many parts. There is a part meant to increase the adoption of digital technology throughout the country. It comprises two main types of intervention. The first type of intervention is meant to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to be more connected to the Internet.

Government Operations committee  With companies such as CGI, for example.