Let me start off. I think the uncertainty around the energy market is one of the big factors driving volatility. If there is government intervention, whether it's concerning OPEC or the amount of reserves at hand, the key objective is to diminish that uncertainty. That's key; that's what is going to get rid of that speculation. Deciding how we might be able to do it in a concerted, coordinated way, I think, would be a very complicated process, but it deserves some thought.
As for trying to dictate prices, I think we're in an era of continued high energy prices, simply because of international demand for energy and because of some of the political problems around the world and the supply problems. I don't think we should be regulating prices; the market should be adjusting accordingly.
Manufacturers since 1990 have increased their volume of output by about 65%. They've increased their energy efficiency by over 50%. As a result, in 2003 manufacturers were using only 5% more energy than they were back in 1990. They did that largely through investments in new technology and the turnover of capital and the replacement of old, inefficient production systems by new technology. But they did it in response to market forces and market prices, and I think if we're looking at the ability of Canadian companies to continue to respond, by all means help them make those changes and make those investments and bring in the best of technology. That's what they're doing.
But I don't think we get very far by trying to manipulate the market price.