Thank you.
First of all, welcome to our guests. You certainly shed some more light on this.
I do agree with you, Ms. George, that we must avoid retaliation. Today that is not the way to resolve these issues. We are saying let's be fair and let's use common sense. That's really what it's all about, for the good of both our taxpayers and our societies. My constituents are telling me that it's not fair.
From what I've been hearing, your take is that a deal within six months is better than no deal. That's true in many ways. So let's make a deal, and let's try to refine it. That could be an approach. You talked about there being elections. You know that in the United States they have elections every so often, but we know in politics that the next election starts the very day after an election. So we don't know when that's going to stop. What I'd like to get across to you is this. It has been said, it has been written, and many people have commented that in this agreement some crumbs have been thrown our way.
I really enjoyed your presentation, Mr. Hammoud, and I appreciate and I sympathize with what your company and other Canadian companies have gone through. I know there used to be a program called PEMD-I many years ago. I think we recommended some years ago that that program be reinstated and financially supported so that we could be competitive.
I know you've heard what I'm about to say. We are their biggest energy suppliers, and we must use that, though not necessarily as a trump card. I'd like to get your view on that when it's your time to respond. I don't believe we should use it as leverage, but to some degree.... Maybe you can tell me if you've had this on the table, and if it has been discussed then I can convey that to my constituents. If it has not, then I'm conveying to you on behalf of my constituents that we should be putting that on the table for discussion.
With respect to the American recovery program, can you give me an idea of how we benefit in terms of dollars and cents as well? I know when I was over with the committee on national defence, discussing some of the procurement with respect to military contracts, there were a lot of restrictions in terms of employees. Can you give us an update on that as well? Because that was hindering.... The bottom line here is how do we create opportunities, in all fairness? Where is that?
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I'm disappointed--and I convey this on behalf of my constituents--by the protectionist attitude that still exists today. Politically we understand when we turn on Fox or CNN and we hear some political rhetoric about protecting jobs....
Sorry, sir?