But only 9% of Canadian companies are exporting, actually, as was said
…in a report from the Small Business Branch, released in June 2011.
For several years now, our trade balance has been negative. Our exports have dropped. You also mentioned that the small and medium enterprises will have a lot of difficulty adapting to the European Union's regulatory regime, and certainly others will have difficulty competing with the large European companies that will be able to.
I would like to make a connection with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. What can it do to help the small and medium enterprises get into the European market? As we know—and we hear it often—one job out of five is related to international trade. What about the other four?
I would also like to mention that Bombardier, which is a large company doing a lot of business with the European Union, has commented on the possibility of positive discrimination. Do you know what that involves? When an invitation to tender is made, positive discrimination is used to give jobs to local companies, which will be impossible under an agreement with the European Union if European regulations are in place. So what will the consequences of this be on small and medium enterprises in Canada?