Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  Yes. In terms of the rationale, as you heard from many of the individuals appearing before your committee, the spectrum of organizations, the spectrum of industries that co-ops are engaged in is extremely broad. It's no longer rural-based or agricultural-based. There are still very deep roots that go into that area, but in terms of the financial cooperatives or credit unions across the country—including caisses populaires—they're deeply immersed in the cities.

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  If I could add—

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  To raise awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the breadth of the co-op sector, having the placement of co-ops and the responsibility for co-ops within the federal government moved over to Industry Canada would be, I think, an important recognition of the spectrum of impact that the co-op sector has in this country.

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  I was just going to add that in trying to determine the level of uptake there may have been of these various programs, it might be a question that could be addressed through some of the associations, the Canadian Co-operative Association or the individual provincial co-op associations that may attract that money.

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  I don't know that I could connect the dots between these specific programs that you're referring to, but in terms of the Manitoba marketplace and the economy, small and medium sized enterprises are clearly a backbone piece and a real driver of our province. In Manitoba—

Special Committee on Cooperatives committee  Yes, we can.