Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, witnesses, for appearing before us this morning.
As was stated, we had what I believe was an excellent report for manufacturing, and it was suggested that we do the same thing for banking and the insurance industry. I think that's a marvellous idea.
It became evident, and I think it's becoming evident in your testimony as well, that the two are very much linked. I would suggest--everybody knows this, though we don't often talk about it--that the banking industry and the insurance industry are really investors, and your job is to take the hard-earned money of those who make their deposits and grow them.
You've done that by picking winners and losers, and I think that's a good thing. I think we'd expect you to do that as well. Now we've broadened our horizons, and the world is changing. It has been so interesting to hear that it's so important to have free trade agreements to maintain that stability, but I guess there's a question that begs to be answered. Many of the manufacturing jobs we're losing...is it inevitable? Are we moving toward something that although it may look somewhat frightening, there are some clear skies in the distance?
To add to that, what do you suggest? I need a few more solid suggestions. What can we do as a government to make sure that your job, as investors, is easier? What can we do to continue moving in that direction so that we'll have a strong economy?