Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I'm not sure that there's too much to say or ask in terms of questions, but just in regard to some comments of what I've been hearing. I know that the Minister is aware that colleagues in the Priorities and Planning Committee have shared with the Minister some of our concerns previously on things that we would like to see possibly reinstated and/or even added, and so, you know, I just want to highlight that the committee is certainly supportive of the SEED Program. You've heard a lot of commentary around that tonight. I think it's a positive thing to know and understand that the department is going to work on committing to a review. However, you know, we're pretty confident that this is one of the government's most popular programs and, as was alluded to, it's often over-prescribed, and we see this as the pot of funds that really had the most potential to diversify the economy. As the Minister may be aware, we would actually like to see some degree of increase put towards this program.

Also alluded to is the support for the fishing industry as it relates to freight support. We see that amount as being fairly steady over the years and would like to see a commitment to more investment there. This is clearly an item that's within the mandate commitment to revitalize the commercial fishing industry. We also recognize the Revitalization Strategy needs to be a strategic and targeted investment to be successful, and we see that in the support for freight support.

Mr. Chair. We also, as the Minister is likely aware, would like to see an increase in the maximum amount that's eligible for BDIC loans. BDIC is clearly an established and well-recognized resource for our entrepreneurs here in the North, and they certainly provide more flexibility for small businesses and small business start-ups.

Mr. Chair, we're not supportive of the reduction of the annual contribution to BDIC. To some degree, this is kind of seen as undermining the role and the potential of BDIC. BDIC is not just a lender. They also provide assistance in getting financial support from others. They host entrepreneurial workshops and they advocate and build a number of partnerships that are important to the success of our economy here in the North.

One thing that we would certainly like to see the department make a clearer commitment to is reducing the administrative complexity of establishing a new business. It's often been referred to by a number of Members in this House about how start-up businesses or even existing businesses are struggling with the red tape and the ability to find efficiencies in getting permits, and so we'd like to see the department have a clear kind of departmental commitment in that regard.

Lastly, Mr. Chair, the committee is certainly going to be overly supportive of the reduction of the Community Futures contribution. We see that as a pot that's continuing to trend down and not up, and that to some degree we see as undermining the small communities and their economic potential, and this has impacts on their ability to create much-needed jobs. So those are just some comments that we cared for the Minister to hear. Thank you, Mr. Chair.