Well, of course, Mr. Chair. I'm addressing them through you, and I'll be putting my question through you.
Anyway, we do understand that 60% of Canada's annual GDP and one in five jobs are directly or indirectly related to trade. That's why, whereas in 13 years of Liberal government they signed only three agreements, in less than six years our Conservative government has signed nine agreements with nine countries, and is ambitiously negotiating agreements with numerous other countries.
Now I'm coming to the question. I would like Mr. Laurin to comment on two things, because I know the chair will not give me extra time.
One, how have past free trade agreements helped businesses create new jobs? And two, as we are talking about CETA, I'd like to hear a comment on this agreement. Do you think it will help the businesses grow and will help the businesses create new jobs?