Thank you for that question. I appreciate that.
I want to make it very clear that I'm not picking a fight with anyone. What I am doing is promoting an agreement that I believe, if negotiated properly, will represent a huge win for Canada.
You suggested that supply management was something people could have a debate over. I can assure you that our government is not having a debate on supply management. We have made it very clear time and time again over the last six years that we will strongly defend our system of supply management. I can assure you of that.
On the issue of procurement, we are very much aware of the sensitivities at the municipal level. That's why I've consulted widely. In fact, I asked for a meeting with the board of directors of the FCM. As you know, that board is quite large. We met in Nelson, B.C., and we had a frank and open dialogue. I sensed that there was a general consensus that an ambitious trade agreement with the EU is something that will benefit Canada. I've also assured the municipalities that we are very sensitive to their particular concerns. Obviously, this is opening up a procurement market in Canada, but it's also opening up a procurement market in the European Union that is worth in the order of $2.4 trillion--not billion but trillion dollars. It's a huge opportunity for Canadian companies to participate in a market that to date has been largely shut to them.
We have made every effort to make the process of consultation and the process of negotiation transparent and collaborative. In fact, I will state very openly that I believe this is the most collaborative and transparent process Canada has ever undertaken with respect to free trade negotiations.