Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Last summer, on July 10, the Department of National Defence awarded a major contract worth $100 million for night-vision binoculars. The industry was very concerned and said that the technical requirements as drafted ensured that only one U.S. company was eligible. A U.S. competitor also said that these requirements did not reflect industry standards or NATO allies' requirements. There was also a complaint from Cadex in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal ordered the government to suspend its purchase while it conducted the investigation. Two European companies sent letters to the tribunal in support of Cadex's complaint.
It reminds me of what happened when the CP‑140 Auroras were replaced: the American company Boeing, rather than Bombardier, was favoured, given the wording of the call for tenders. We could also add the example of the F‑35s.
There will still be benefits in Quebec and Canada, but why are calls for tenders so often drafted in such a way as to exclude suppliers from the Canadian economy?