Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thanks to all of you for being here today for this important meeting concerning the forest industry. My first question is for Mr. Chevrette.
Mr. Chevrette, the message you've just presented was a real cri du coeur. I also understood that the forest industry was on the verge of collapse, that the situation was urgent and that action had to be taken. I understood as well that loan guarantees were essential, that they were a priority that the federal government should give to the forest industry. I have in my possession a statement by the Minister of State for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, which appeared in Le Quotidien newspaper this morning. Minister Lebel stated:
[...] that Ottawa cannot grant loan guarantees to the forest industry subject to severe sanctions.
The minister added that such guarantees:
[...] could torpedo the softwood lumber agreement.
My question, Mr. Chevrette, is this: is it legal to grant loan guarantees to the forest industry? I'd like to hear what you have to say on that subject. In your opinion, is it legal?