Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good day, gentlemen, Madam.
You are absolutely right, Mr. Risser. This agreement does pose a threat to the shipbuilding industry. Rest assured that the Bloc Québécois is well aware of this fact. We will do everything in our power to urge the government to bring in a policy to develop the shipbuilding industry in Quebec. I myself am from eastern Quebec. I am the President of the eastern Quebec caucus and the marine industry in this region is vitally important and deserves to be developed. I want you to know that Bloc Québécois supports these initiatives.
Moreover, the Bloc Québécois is disturbed to see the government proposing projects on this scale without even bothering to do an impact assessment first. The agreement under discussion today, one that involves the European Free Trade Association, contains some interesting provisions concerning nickel, aluminum and the pharmaceutical sector. However, it represents a threat to the shipbuilding industry. There are no solid studies in place to assist us in the decision-making process. I find that truly deplorable.
My question is for the officials. I would imagine that you have some figures on investments made in recent years in the marine industry. Have government investments in this sector in recent years decreased, remained the same or increased?