Official Languages committee  Our aim as an economic development agency is to continue implementing national programs in the communities. We deliver the program in a community for the needs of the community. It's about continuing to be able to do what we do and fill the gap in national programs. Continuing to work with the community is probably the most important thing.

Official Languages committee  Thank you for your offer of support. One thing that I think helps is that FedNor has become an independent and self-governing agency. As a result, we have greater access to other departments that are in Ottawa. We can communicate directly with all the other departments. As I previously said, this isn't just a matter of money.

Official Languages committee  FedNor has allocated $800,000 a year, through the economic development initiative, to support francophone communities. All the programs together total approximately $40 million, and we use a portion of that money to support francophone businesses.

Official Languages committee  Yes, one of the indicators is an increase in the number of jobs in the region, and, thanks to the money we've allocated under the EDI, we've established or expanded 41 actual community and regional projects. There have also been 407 training and consultation sessions with the communities, and 100 financial plans have been established.

Official Languages committee  Thank you for that question. The answer, quite simply, is yes, because we find that the work we do with—

Official Languages committee  Thanks to the work we do with first nations communities, their businesses benefit the entire region. A synergy has formed between the businesses and the minority language communities. All businesses in the regions have to cooperate extensively.

Official Languages committee  Most of the funding allocated under the EDI isn't really granted as loans because the organizations we work with mostly receive grants and contributions. If funding is allocated to a business whose aim is to make a profit, then, yes, it comes in the form of a loan, which will subsequently have to be repaid.

Official Languages committee  Businesses are required to state on their applications whether they are francophone, meaning that at least 50% of their business is owned by francophones. As I was saying earlier, our officers are very much engaged in the community and are very familiar with the businesses and organizations that work with francophones in the region.

Official Languages committee  That has never happened in the 10 years that I've been at the agency, although it may have occurred before then.

Official Languages committee  We have a few people who are experts in the field, but they aren't on my team. Their work is auditing businesses and associations. I'd say that one or two employees are more involved with the funds of the economic development initiative, or EDI.

Official Languages committee  Thank you for that question. As you just said, newcomers and immigrants face major challenges, particularly in rural regions. Matters are slightly more difficult when they're in the linguistic minority. We try to offer services to provide financial support to organizations in the cities I mentioned and to reduce the obstacles you've described.

Official Languages committee  No, because, according to the Canadian government's rules, you have to be bilingual to occupy a bilingual position. We're strict about that: employees who occupy bilingual positions are required to take an exam every five years to maintain their language level.

Official Languages committee  That's correct.

Official Languages committee  In that kind of situation, a person occupying a bilingual position who takes language training may be granted a temporary exemption. Since our organization is really small, we try to hire bilingual employees. Our organization also provides French courses for employees who aren't bilingual.

Official Languages committee  That's correct. We try to provide language training, particularly for people occupying positions that aren't bilingual.