Finance committee  Merit Canada's philosophy is based on merit, on best value at the lowest cost. If that involves international competition, then my answer would be yes.

Finance committee  We believe in fairness, openness, and transparency. With the free trade agreement, that will happen regardless.

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  They don't specifically ask unions; they would ask the trades.

Finance committee  That's only in specific municipalities that have collective bargaining agreements.

Finance committee  Toronto has nine collective bargaining agreements.

Finance committee  That's correct.

Finance committee  Exactly.

Finance committee  More openness, fairness, and a more level playing field. The bottom line is that you're going to have more bidders, and when you have more bidders, you're going to have more competition.

Finance committee  With increased competition, you will potentially have a reduction in pricing, translating to billions in savings. When you take the numbers, even on the conservative side of 20% to 30% cost savings in the Cardus study, when you're looking at a $14-billion build fund, 20% to 30% o

Finance committee  I'm talking across the country.

Finance committee  The Building Canada fund, I believe, is $14 billion.

Finance committee  On the conservative side, and this is from studies that have been completed and documented—you can have a copy sent to you—minimum, 20% to 30%.

Finance committee  When you look at $14 billion, you're talking $3 billion-ish.

Finance committee  Let's do it.