Thank you for your question, dear colleague.
The defence and aerospace industries have a very significant presence throughout Canada. Our government recognizes the importance of this industrial sector in Canada's economy; it's a fact. We know full well that this sector faces major challenges when it has to compete with international competitors. We have to make sure that our sector can compete with its aerospace and defence competitors. That is what we are trying to achieve. That is also why, in our budget, we reduced general taxes on the aerospace industry.
In the weeks following my appointment, I met with the major players of this sector. They told me about the challenges they face on a regular basis. I understood their concerns.
As I already pointed out, we will study the various budgets which might help this industry. You alluded to the Technology Partnerships Canada program. Thirty days after our government was sworn in, I took certain measures with regard to this program. As you know, our new government has established five priorities, including government accountability and transparency. These principles apply very well to Canadian industry and to my department.
We published all the details concerning the Technology Partnerships Canada program. In the past, some MPs criticized this program for its lack of transparency. We published on our website information relating to the number of contributions made by government to certain sectors, and the amounts involved, as well as the rate of reimbursement. I am very proud of having done this. Indeed, taxpayers' money goes to finance this industry sector. We want government operations to be carried out with the greatest degree of transparency.
Further, we assessed all the ins and outs of this program. I have already publicly stated that we are evaluating it. We did not hide the fact that we might choose to improve the program, but we might also decide that the industry should not benefit from any program. In that regard, what I told industry representatives whom I met with was crystal clear. I said exactly the same thing to the media a few weeks after my appointment.
We are still in the process of evaluating the program. When the time is right, after our study is completed, I will gladly appear before this committee again and tell you what our priorities will be in the area of aerospace and defence. Whatever the case may be, I can assure you that industry representatives have said they were very satisfied with the measures announced in the first budget presented by this government.
The other part of the question dealt with the potential acquisition of aircraft by the Department of Defence. Note the word “potential”. Indeed, since I am a member of cabinet, I know that no decision in that regard has yet been taken. I would like to put this issue into context. First, any acquisition of defence equipment is a decision which would be taken by my colleague, the Minister of Defence. He will make recommendations to cabinet when the time is right. Second, such a significant government procurement contract would also involve my other colleague, Mr. Fortier. Mr. Fortier's job is to make sure that any call for tenders respects the laws which you, the members of Parliament, have adopted.
That being said, this is all theoretical for now. Indeed, I would like to insist on the fact that the government has not yet decided whether or not to buy any defence equipment, be it aeronautical or other. As you know, when huge contracts are involved, we must also assess any regional and national economic benefits.
We have a policy on that, and it falls under the authority of the Minister of Industry. Members can rest assured that the regional economic benefits policy will be applied, which does guarantee high-level economic benefits for all Canadians. This policy provides a framework under which federal government procurement acts as a lever to promote regional and industrial development objectives, and Industry Canada, with the support of regional development organizations, is responsible for applying it. We intend to apply this policy as we always do for any significant government contract.