Thank you very much for the question, Ms. Sudds, because you have reminded me of something that I forgot to mention in my answer earlier.
It's true that the “buy Canadian” policy announced to overhaul our procurement approach and prioritize Canadian companies and Canadian content has one important component, and that's the program funded in the budget to strengthen SME access to federal procurement. I think that is very important. Sometimes, doing business with the Government of Canada can seem complex. We want to simplify the process. We want to give more contracts to SMEs and ensure that the various departments and Crown corporations buy goods from our SMEs. Often, a Government of Canada contract is the best calling card a company can have if it wants to export internationally. I'm very happy about that. That will start this spring. It's funded in the budget.
You also talked about scientific research and experimental development tax credits. There's one thing I hear from many entrepreneurs around me, and I'm sure you hear it too, because your riding has many innovative businesses. These entrepreneurs tell me that the process lacks predictability and needs to be reviewed. They want to know how much they can invest and how much they can receive. They want that certainty up front. That is what Budget 2025 does. It provides approval for investment up front, rather than companies receiving it ex post facto, or retroactively. That's in addition to the enhanced 35% tax credit.
I would like to mention one last thing. Many entrepreneurs have also told me that they were eagerly awaiting the 100% accelerated first-year writeoff. I can give you proof of that. While preparing for this appearance, I went back and looked at the feedback we got after the budget. For example, I will quote Julie White from Manufacturiers et exportateurs du Québec:
We are pleased to see that the manufacturing sector has an important place in this budget. We sense the government's willingness to promote our businesses, which are critical to our economy and national security. The measures announced in this budget have addressed a number of our members' priorities, including access to government procurement and investment in innovation.
You mentioned access to government contracts.
Those remarks were made by Julie White, from Manufacturiers et exportateurs du Québec, but I could give you many other positive quotes from entrepreneurs, who are the backbone of our economy and at the forefront of innovation in Canada.