Good afternoon, sir. Thank you for your question.
The projects being discussed today have been in the planning for the last three years. Our association facilitates effective exchanges between industry and the government of Canada. We attempt to get a unified perspective from the industry, which is not always the case, but everyone has the right to be heard. We endeavour to make this unified perspective known to stakeholders from PWGSC, so as to foster the exchange of information and the identification of problems, potential solutions, and so on and so forth. In the weeks and months ahead, we will be pleased to continue collaborating with the various departments in order to advance these projects.
Ultimately, we believe that it is possible to improve the effectiveness of government operations, and that the chosen or discussed track is the right one, and that it will not have a significant impact. You are well aware that baby-boomers are preparing for retirement. Our association estimates an impending shortfall of 90,000 skilled IT workers in the near future. I have a hard time believing that there will be a lack of jobs or business opportunities for anyone in the industry.
We are anticipating this problem and believe that it is urgent to improve how things are done now in order to prevent a shortfall of technology and systems workers in the years ahead. Our association worked with government and is ready and willing to make sure there is ongoing cooperation to meet needs, and find solutions to problems that are being experience by SMEs, or others.