Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  I want to add something to what Mr. Richard said. La Coop fédérée is also a federation of cooperatives. It plays both roles. It supports cooperatives and provides them with consulting services for their strategic planning and business turnaround. Once the cooperative has been cre

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  It's a partnership with Enercan. We often undertake this type of partnership because of our agricultural role. Basically, we are able to provide biomass, ensure the supply and develop dedicated plants. So the research consortium has an agronomic component. Because of that, the In

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  These are high-risk sectors, so frequently the problem is accessing dedicated funding. There are, however, existing provincial and federal programs. As for R and D tax credits, big businesses don't have much trouble when it comes to meeting program requirements. Where problems ar

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  Good morning everyone. La Coop fédérée is the second largest non-financial cooperative in Canada. We are a federation of agricultural and agri-food cooperatives that is 106 members strong, representing a total of nearly 90,000 members. With total sales of more than $6 billion,

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  Too fast? Okay.

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  I will take over. We intend to continue developing this new formula wherever possible. As one of Canada’s largest employers, La Coop fédérée and its network of affiliated cooperatives are significant agents of economic development in rural areas. For nearly five years, La Coop n