Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for coming today. The message you've delivered is that the world has changed and that governments need to act soon. I hope our report we contain many of your proposals.
I know our minister of Industry was invited to a meeting on February 17 by the textile industry. This meeting didn't take place yet. You may be meeting with his executive assistant. You were invited today. Perhaps they are a little scared and will try to deal with the situation, but I hope the minister will understand that the world is moving faster now. People in my riding have been hardly hit. Companies are closing down. One of them used to make jeans. Consoltex closed down a plant. Things are not looking good.
What kind of program does the textile industry wish to have for clothing made of Canadian textiles that can be imported duty-free? I checked with people in the Caribbean and they're looking forward to this. Can you give us a brief account of this project and tell us how much the wasted time will cost you? For the past three years that I've been on this committee, you have come to talk to us about this problem. I would like you to repeat your arguments in favour of this program because I want it to be included in the committee's report.