We recognize that the government is doing a lot these days to inform SMEs about the benefits of certain free trade agreements. However, the SMEs often tell us that they are not sufficiently aware of the assistance programs. In other words, they need to be better informed about opportunities and challenges in other markets.
As for the United States, I have talked at length about it. It is important to diversify our exports. In its economic update, the government announced measures to increase and further diversify business exports. Regulations, including customs obligations and certification processes, should be monitored. The government should work much more closely with businesses and make an effort to share the assistance with them. I think that's critical.
For our part, we toured the companies. We visited 11 regions and met with 500 participants to introduce them to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), between Canada and the European Union. In Montmagny, for example, we talked to 60 entrepreneurs—a huge number for the region—to let them know about the many opportunities this free trade agreement offers them. So we are doing our part. The use of existing networks such as the FCCQ could help to promote this and achieve those objectives.