There are two ways to encourage competition in this area. The first option is opening the doors to foreign ownership, and that's what the government has settled on. The other option is to reserve a block for new entrants at the upcoming spectrum auction, as was done in 2009 for advanced wireless services. The government could have gone with that option, which was successful and enabled new entrants to acquire the spectrum they needed to grow. It could have found another way to help those companies acquire capital other than allowing them to be bought by another foreign company, be it American or European. If the government were really consistent in its willingness to open the doors to competition, it should have reserved spectrum at the auction, but it decided not to do that. Therefore, I cannot accept that argument.
I wanted to raise another issue quickly. This has been debated at length. In addition, the publishing of the outcome of the consultation document from 2010 submitted by Mr. Clement—the Minister of Industry at the time—was pushed back twice because the government was not sure which direction to take. This issue is so complex that we are not sure where this specific recommendation will lead us.
I don't think enough consultations have been held. We must not forget that consultations have been held in the past, but the Parliament of the day had a completely different image. Based on what we know today, there will be other arguments, and other directions will be suggested for the consultation. I don't think that the intervention has changed anything at all.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.