Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I was going to ask about the South Korean free trade agreement, but I'll move to another subject matter, even though I think it's becoming increasingly clear that unless we get reciprocity or in fact the Koreans show they're prepared to open up the market, we shouldn't go any further until such time as it happens, for all the reasons that have been mentioned.
There is no doubt we have a very productive sector. There is no doubt that the auto sector is incredibly important to this country. I think we have some competitive advantages, from health care to skilled trades and so on, and I think we're doing very well to maintain and expand.
I need to know, because there is a list of categories, from the dollar to energy to the border to skills, training, technology, and productivity, what it is that is going to keep us at the forefront of being competitive. You're right, if there is overcapacity, production will go where the market is. I think Canada should position itself to become the best in skills and technology—and even taxes.
My question is this. If one were to ask what the most important things are—and I mean being very clear about what the things we need to do are—to make sure we're going to either maintain and/or enhance our ability to produce cars and auto parts, and so on, I think that needs to be said.
Also, there is no doubt that the previous government had put in place the auto strategy with CAPC, a $500 million investment. As we move forward as a committee to recommend to this government, how important is it to have these technology funds or programs available to the auto sector to attract either greenfield auto assembly plants or enhance present production to get into flexible manufacturing, as we did with GM or Ford and other things, for the purposes of continuing to be competitive?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.