Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for being here today.
Much like my colleague who mentioned it before me, I too don't understand why we're considering the budget appropriations the day before they are to be passed. Personally, I find this to be disrespectful of our democratic institutions.
I'd like to come back to the fact that Invest in Canada reached out to 54 million business decision-makers. I understand that you've spoken to a number of people. If so, how do you explain the fact that despite all those interactions, Canada was not even invited to participate in key initiatives like last week's meeting led by the United States and the Indo‑Pacific nations?