Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Off the top, I would say I disagree strenuously with the comment made in your presentation that, to quote you, “our Minister of International Trade took quick and decisive action by writing to his U.S. counterpart”--after the fact. We have a saying on the farm: it's pretty hard to deal with an issue after the horse has left the barn. In this case, the horse has left the barn.
I want to know, who fell down on the job? Starting on June 28, President Obama telescoped that this was where he was going to be. He was talking about “made in America” in at least six speeches prior to his announcement. Was there any representation to the administration by the minister, DFAIT, PMO--any ministry--prior to that speech of President Obama's?