Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, under the Investment Canada Act, which determines whether the investment is of net benefit to Canada, which is what we have been talking about for some time now, you have to consider section 20, that is, paragraphs 20(a) to 20(f). I am going to focus on paragraphs 20(a), 20(b) and 20(e), which have to be taken into account for this sale. We will take the time we need so we can see what I'm talking about.
Paragraph 20(a) reads as follows:
20(a) the effect of the investment on the level and nature of economic activity in Canada, ...
The primary reason I see for the government not approving the MDA sale is the loss of jobs. Paragraph 20(a) talks about job losses. This is therefore not of benefit to Canada.
Now we have paragraph 20(b):
20(b) the degree and significance of participation by Canadians in the Canadian business ...
The second reason why the government should not approve this sale is that there will be no participation by Canadians, because there will be no other business in the remote sensing industry.
The third reason why this sale should not be approved is in paragraph 20(e):
20(e) the compatibility of the investment with national industrial, economic and cultural policies, taking into consideration industrial, economic and cultural policy objectives ...
We are thinking that you have not consulted Quebec and the other provinces on this subject.
Those are my questions. These three reasons mean that it is not of benefit to Canada to sell MDA. Have your senior officials brought paragraphs 20(a), 20(b) and 20(c) to your attention? Is there a report or a study by senior officials in your department that demonstrates that the investment is of benefit to Canada? If a report like that exists, is it available?