I would add to my colleague's opinion that we need to diversify our export markets. Canada has always been accustomed to exporting to the United States. Our SMEs are quite adept at it, but we need to seek out other markets: Asia, Europe and so forth. In that kind of environment, the state has a role to play through its agencies, whether it be the EDC, the BDC or some other organization, in encouraging Canada's SMEs to export outside North America.
On October 4th, 2010. See this statement in context.