I'll start by saying that it's nice to see you, Mr. Ste‑Marie. You're an excellent colleague. We've been working together for years. Thank you for being here this morning.
I haven't had a chance to look at that report yet. Knowing that I was coming to testify at the Standing Committee on Finance this morning, I devoted my energy to preparing the best possible answers to committee members' questions in order to move the study of the bill forward.
I haven't had a chance to look at it, but I know it's a good thing for the Minister of Finance to look at the documents and do a detailed analysis of what the Parliamentary Budget Officer's report may contain before commenting. I haven't had a chance to do that yet.
Nonetheless, I can say it's true that Canada must make a considerable effort, as must other NATO countries. Canada is no different. I hope, as you've seen in Quebec, particularly with Mr. Legault and the others, that it will be an economic lever.
We're talking about companies, such as Marmen and PRO‑B Group, that do business in my riding. However, small and medium-sized Quebec businesses are now developing the defence industry.
We're even seeing this in Saint‑Tite, where I made my finance minister shoes. Bottes Boulet is a small business that has been in operation since 1942 and employs 75 people. Bottes Boulet makes cowboy boots, but it also has a military and defence division. It makes boots for the RCMP and the military. This shows that plenty of opportunities are out there for businesses of all kinds.
If this is true for Bottes Boulet, a small business that has been around for decades, I think all companies should consider a business strategy with a defence component.