Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  That study is available in French and in English. I will send it to you. I think it is more eloquently worded than anything I could say on the topic. What's important is that it gives a solid overview of the capitalization problems and the solutions that have been adopted. I thin

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  Yes, that is done on a regular basis. That is common practice for the members of the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité and for cooperative federations. We say that an isolated cooperative is a fragile cooperative. We encourage them to participate in their reg

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  The $4 million certainly helped provide technical support for creating a cooperative. There was an innovation component, which had more to do with business projects. Assistance was provided for start-up and business plans. Support was given for part of the risk and innovation in

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  That's right....

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  As Mr. Richard was saying, the study carried out by tax experts focused on general cases related to the direct status of active cooperatives. When it comes to taxing income from a subsidiary, we are told that cooperatives, like share-capital businesses, do not have a mechanism t

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  That figure concerns employment growth. It comes from a study carried out by the ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation du Québec. That department has asked us the exact same question. What is the magic secret? I would say that the secret is i

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  Yes, presentations were given. A House of Commons committee examined the issue and all four parties unanimously resolved to support such a plan. We've even received Mr. Harper's backing as far as implementing a cooperative investment plan goes. We hope the Department of Finance w

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ladies and gentlemen, members of the committee, I want to thank you for meeting with us today. It is extremely important for all of Canada's regions that you have a clear understanding of where things stand and that we all support the creation of a tool th