Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'd like to welcome the witnesses, our invited guests and industry workers who are joining us today. Thank you for being here.
Madam Aristeo, I have two questions I'd like to ask you.
Mr. Lifson referred to this briefly in his introductory comments or at the beginning of his presentation, but do you have any figures or details that might further enlighten us on the presence of the Chinese imports in the Canadian clothing industry?
I think all presenters have referred to an increase in China's market share in the total supply of Canadian clothing, but I'm wondering if you can give us some more precision with respect to the increase in the Chinese market share. Also, I'm wondering--and this will come up amongst colleagues, perhaps later on in the discussion about the motion, and this perhaps could be addressed to Mr. Lifson as well--if both witnesses would comment on whether it would be advisable for Canada, once we have triggered the safeguard mechanisms, to negotiate some sort of agreement with China, as I understand the European Union and the Americans have, with respect to imports of clothing and textiles from China.
I wonder if you have any views on whether that might be, as I understood your presentation, Madam Aristeo....
Once safeguard mechanisms have been triggered, do you feel that in the long term, a bilateral agreement could be beneficial to the industry and the workers you represent?