Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you very much, witnesses, for being here.
We've just completed a manufacturing study. We had the opportunity and privilege to travel across Canada. We didn't hear a lot of talk about Rolexes, but when we went to Quebec, we did talk to those in the textile industry. When we went to Windsor, we had a very good meeting with the auto manufacturers and auto parts manufacturers; in Oshawa, same thing.
I've been at trade shows where associations of plumbers and electricians have said, “My gosh, you've got to do something. These copies are so good, even we don't know the difference.”
My concern is, okay, these parts are out there. These counterfeits are out there. Where is the money going from the profits, but also, where are these parts? Where are these electrical circuit breakers that are faulty? Are they in hospitals? Are they in schools? I'm very concerned about this.
Mr. Geist brought up a good point, that other countries out there have stronger copyright and IP protection than Canada has. I want to play devil's advocate here, because it seems the Canadian government currently meets its international standards and works with the international enforcement community. Other than getting taken off the American list of bad guys, why should we do anything?
Mr. Drapeau, why should we go ahead? And what should we do?