Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you to the delegates for coming today.
I have a couple of things.
First of all, at this point we've heard from a number of different associations and groups on the issue of manufacturing. I think we've heard there are areas of weakness and concern. It's certainly one of the reasons the committee has undertaken the process of reviewing the sector and looking at how we can help manufacturing.
For example, I would certainly agree that textiles, which was mentioned earlier, and auto manufacturing are areas in particular. But there are others where this committee has concerns and where there are obviously weaknesses.
I would point out that some of the delegations--for example, the Canadian Manufacters & Exporters--referenced the fact that things are actually going quite well in other areas, and there are actually going to be more jobs created than lost in different areas within manufacturing sectors.
It's important for the purposes of this committee to recognize where the weaknesses exist and what we should do in going forward.
I also have a concern that the economy has been very adaptive and the manufacturing sector has been adaptive. We've been relatively successful, but there's a question of how much it can take. How much do things like the dollar and the slowing U.S. economy impede that?
I'm only going to ask one question. I don't know if it's possible to ask the question, because I know that I only have one round, and give Mr. Lapierre an opportunity to ask a question after that.