We decided on a two-year period for a fairly obvious reason. As you just stated in your question, the cost of this measure is $1.3 billion. This is a first in Canada, and we want to ensure that it has the desired effects.
As you know, in every budget cycle, and for every budget the Minister of Finance prepares, consultations are always held. I can tell you that the Minister of Finance and the government will sit down, at the end of the two-year period, and listen to what the manufacturing industry has to say, what its recommendations are and all of that will be considered as part of the next budget.
However, what is important is that in relation to G-8 countries, Canada is now, as a result of this initiative, the country with the lowest tax rate on investment in business equipment and machinery. That will attract investment to Canada, and at the same time, we will not be discouraging entrepreneurs from investing in new equipment and machinery in order to become more productive. Our tax rate in that regard is the lowest of all the G-8 countries. That is something we can be proud of. I should also say that this low rate, this new tax measure, will mean that entrepreneurs will be investing more and more in equipment, and will be increasingly productive as a result.
As to your question about why we chose a two-year period, I already answered that. There was a question of cost, but once the two-year period has ended, we will be very open to discussing it with manufacturers. Indeed, there is ongoing communication with various groups in society when a budget is being prepared.