In September, the government announced a number of programs to support the various sectors affected by the trade war with the United States.
It is still not clear which are the right tools for PACCAR.
A $5-billion fund, the strategic response fund, was announced and earmarked to support the sectors at risk. If PACCAR wants to change course and shift to other markets or products, or to sign a contract with the federal government, which program would be the most appropriate? There is also liquid funding available through Finance Canada, which would be helpful for PACCAR, as well as funding from the Business Development Bank of Canada.
There are also other tools, as the minister indicated. In September, in its announcements, the government really emphasized that it will examine what we could do within our own domestic market, not only at the federal level but also at the provincial and municipal levels, to create a more attractive market for companies. That is still evolving and what was announced in September is an intention. For the time being, things are in development and we are looking into a more Canadian procurement strategy, with all the tools that are available federally. Further, those tools include not only what we purchase directly, but also the funding support we provide to companies, which we could thereby encourage to buy Canadian.