Thank you, Mr. Friedmann, for joining us today.
Previously, on February 4, we met with Mr. Iskander, president of MDA's space division. He indicated at that time that U.S. security laws, in particular ITAR, made it very difficult for a Canadian company to compete successfully for U.S. space agency business. Those same laws have a tremendous impact on companies outside of U.S. borders, like MDA's space division. They have an even greater level of control over American companies.
How can you provide long-term assurance that the technology developed by MDA's space division with Canadian tax dollars and Canadian expertise will not be used against Canadian interests by the American government through the access of those images during times or issues where there is a conflict--for instance, on the Northwest Passage?
How can you provide that absolute assurance?