My question is for the CFIB, please. It's not that we're picking on you; we just have lots of questions. Thank you so much for appearing before the committee.
Prior to being elected to Parliament, I, too, like many of us, was a small business owner—multiple businesses—so I understand to a great extent the challenges and opportunities that face us.
I note that you were among the five signatories to the May 29, 2019, letter to Prime Minister Trudeau in which you offer support for the new NAFTA deal. In that letter, you enthused that CUSMA will “generate significant new benefits for the Canadian economy, spurring new investments while encouraging the creation of new high-value jobs”. As well, you refer to opportunities even before ratification “to enhance North American competitiveness and good regulatory practices”. You propose to achieve this by establishing committees in each area to promote economic growth and regulatory co-operation.
Some industry leaders, however, have described CUSMA in less than glowing terms. They basically say that this deal is better than no deal at all. Does that surprise you, or is that the level of enthusiasm for this agreement, which differs from sector to sector?