Evidence of meeting #105 for International Trade in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was edc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
We have the new Invest in Canada agency that's starting up. I wonder if you can speak to the coordination you'll have with them as well.
Chair, Board of Directors, Export Development Canada
It's a fairly nascent organization. I just know the recent appointments of the chair and the CEO. We will be looking to partner with them, as we would all other new crowns. The Infrastructure Bank is another one. From my perspective, it's going to be about getting to know each other and seeing how we can leverage each other's mandates.
Benoit, do you want to add anything?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Export Development Canada
It's two different mandates, but for sure there's going to be collaboration. How can we help each other, and what are our respective mandates?
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Welcome and congratulations, Ms. Irman.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Earlier, we talked about the fact that one of our goals is to help women get more involved in export and to help them take their place in the marketplace. Do you have any goals in this regard?
Earlier, you told Mr. Hoback that you are measuring the results. Do you have any for Women in Trade?
Chair, Board of Directors, Export Development Canada
Thank you for your question, honourable member. I will answer it in a general way.
In the recent budget, steps were taken to measure results. I don't remember the exact amount; I have the information in my notes, but I have several pages.
Vice-President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Export Development Canada
It's $250 million.
Chair, Board of Directors, Export Development Canada
It's $250 million? Wow, that's good.
We took steps in this direction. What we are looking at is a business sector. We will determine parameters to measure the results and the number of people we help.
As for the details, I will ask Mr. Daignault to come back to it.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Since you say it's measurable, I would like to ask another question.
Chair, Board of Directors, Export Development Canada
With the money as well.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Yes, it's important.
Here's my other question.
I represent the riding of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, which includes the cities of Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache, Boisbriand and Rosemère. There is Mirabel in the north, where Bombardier, Bell Helicopter and several suppliers in the aerospace and aeronautics industries are located.
As my colleague said, we visited Singapore, where the aerospace industry has a strong presence.
What are you doing to help the aerospace industry to open up more markets abroad?
Chair, Board of Directors, Export Development Canada
Aerospace is a top priority for EDC. I will ask Mr. Daignault to give you more details on this. However, I think your figures not only represent the aerospace industry, but all the other sectors as well. I think 188 companies are linked to the aerospace sector.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
They are all suppliers.
In my riding, there is AP&C, which is the only titanium powder specialist in North America. It isn't found anywhere else.
Chair, Board of Directors, Export Development Canada
Right.
I'll let Mr. Daignault answer.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Export Development Canada
Thank you for your question.
I would like to talk briefly about two things we do. First, we support supply chains. By offering our services to major integrators, we make sure to include the smallest companies in their supply chain, whether in Canada or abroad.
Secondly, we have a guarantee program with the banks. So if a company in your riding wanted to sell its products to a French company, it would need financial support. We give a guarantee to the banker for this company, which allows the costs of the contract to be covered. It's a very effective way for us to help smaller businesses, like the ones in your riding.
To give you an idea, last year, these guarantees were evaluated at around a billion dollars.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
For the record...but anyway, they're all good questions. That wraps up our time.
Thank you, Madam Irman, for coming with your associates.
Chair, Board of Directors, Export Development Canada
Thank you for giving me all the time.