Thank you, Chair.
Ms. Huot, witnesses who previously came to the committee during our study on the advanced manufacturing and metallurgical sectors said many SMEs are facing excessive pressure due to the new section 232 tariffs of April 6. They said specifically that loans will not help them, since they are already operating at a loss with the burden of these new tariffs.
The minister came out during that study—actually, on the last day of that study—and made the announcement of the various loans that would be available to these companies suffering from these tariff pressures. Why did the industry department decide to provide debt-driven support versus direct assistance for manufacturers and SMEs?