Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would also like to thank the Minister for coming here this afternoon, and to thank the aides who are with you.
Minister, my colleagues and I have tried on several occasions to get clarification regarding the forestry industry. One of your colleagues, the Minister of State for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, has said several times in the media that the federal government could not give loan guarantees for businesses because it would be contrary to the Canada—United States softwood lumber agreement.
Minister, if you can’t answer my question, your assistants will undoubtedly be able to help. I would like to know what clause loan guarantees to forestry companies would violate.