Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for appearing today.
Business hates uncertainty. That's why I think the sectors that are testifying today, and indeed the Canadian public, breathed a bit of a sigh of relief or had some confidence when they were promised by the Prime Minister that there would be a deal with the U.S. by last July, but here we are today, eight months later.
The plan now is for trade diversification away from the American markets. In fact, the Prime Minister has indicated that our relationship with the U.S. is a weakness. As further proof, in a flyer from the member for Ottawa Centre that landed in my mailbox this week, the U.S. isn't even highlighted under the heading of expanding Canada's trade partners.
I'll begin with Mr. Loomis.
Mr. Loomis, do you agree that our trading relationship with the U.S. is a weakness? How long would it take for your members to replace U.S. demand with alternative export markets?