Thank you, Chair. I appreciate the question.
It has very much been the government's preference to proceed in this area multilaterally, and we have been engaged in these discussions, looking for a common approach since 2017.
However, the reality is that it has proven to be very elusive. It would certainly be the government's preference to move in that direction, but the government has indicated that it doesn't feel it can continue to wait indefinitely.
With respect to the U.S., obviously we pay close attention to the U.S. reaction in this area. We've been engaged in discussions with the United States. It is important to note that the U.S. has been explicitly tolerating the digital services taxes of seven countries, including the three I mentioned, since the autumn of 2021. They've recently extended that understanding for another six months.
The Deputy Prime Minister has noted that Canada has been engaged in discussion with the U.S., with a view to finding a common understanding in this area.