Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I would like to thank our witnesses for joining us today.
On March 20, the federal government announced a plan to help Canadian companies ramp up production of medical supplies needed to provide care during the COVID-19 crisis. At the time, we were told it was a strategy that would swiftly create pathways to deploy resources to Canadian businesses. Interested companies were directed to two portals, one on the ISED website and one on the PSPC website.
Ms. Bamford, given your role in representing the coalition, could you reflect on how the Canadian government approached the ramp-up of domestic production of PPE, contrast that with the U.S., and then look at the impact on our ability to manufacture these much-needed supplies?