Official Languages committee  That is correct. We do get more operating funds for projects, but we have the same staff as we had ten years ago. We are also asked to work in the regions, but we can't, because we have the same staff as we had 10 years ago.

Official Languages committee  We made a presentation a few months ago to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Western Economic Diversification Canada, or WD. I was joined by my colleagues from three other western provinces. It was interesting to see the deputy minister's reactions. She said that she did not know

Official Languages committee  The vast majority of them are anglophone businesses.

Official Languages committee  Yes. We are also creating francophone companies. We support small businesses. Those are francophone businesses. That is a program we are managing with WD. We have another program we are managing jointly with Employment and Social Development Canada, or ESDC. We pay young people

Official Languages committee  Anglophones have credibility and are recognized because they are everywhere. Francophones here represent 1.4% of the population, and that population is distributed evenly across the province.

Official Languages committee  What I need, and what the Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique needs, is simple. We would like our economic contribution to be recognized. The people I work with don't want bilingualism to be seen as a right or an obligation. When I talk to them about bi

Official Languages committee  That's right. We do talk, but the value of our contribution isn't recognized. The Vancouver Airport and the Vancouver Economic Commission know us, and they want to work with us because they see the results and the the economic benefits our work generates. I'm an economist, and I

Official Languages committee  I am from its capital, Edmundston.

Official Languages committee  Our funding comes from two main sources. Western Economic Diversification, WD, provides funds to allow us to offer services directly to the businesses, and do training. The other half of our operating funds come from ESDC, Employment and Social Development Canada. These funds are

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  Yes. We often work with the province, but it does not provide the bulk of our funding. We work directly with the province on tourism. We receive funds to promote British Columbia in France and in Quebec.

Official Languages committee  We do receive some provincial funds, but we receive more from Western Diversification.

Official Languages committee  Absolutely. We would really need to receive more funds from the Department of Industry. We would also like to receive more funds from Western Economic Diversification Canada. In fact, what we would like to have, basically, is more funds. I will also answer the question on what w

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning. I came here to listen. I didn't know I would be addressing the committee. That's my fault. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary, so I haven't really had time to read all my emails in the past three months. That said, I'd like to focus mor

Official Languages committee  If you wish. I didn't know I was supposed to make a presentation, so I will make some notes. Could you start with someone else instead?