Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to thank the industry representatives. I enjoyed hearing what you had to say and the proactive role that Canadian companies are playing our aerospace industry. I also heard Mr. Coderre's siren song to the industry. I would like to remind him that the witnesses are here to remind us that we have just emerged from a decade of darkness; those very words were spoken by the highest-ranked individual in the Canadian Army, and he was referring to military equipment procurement. I might also remind him that the Liberals have no intention of buying any C-17s; they will be leasing them. Those are facts that must not be forgotten.
I listened to Mr. Bain, who represents the Quebec Aerospace Association. I am aware of your concerns. However, there are a few conflicting statements in your presentation. You talk about competitiveness, but you say that the government should intervene. There is a bit of a contradiction there, and I would like you to explain it to me.
Canada's policy is very clear. Our new government wants every dollar invested in military equipment to stay in Canada. Mr. Bernier, the industry minister, clearly explained to us that all regions will benefit, with hundreds of millions of dollars going to Quebec for the C-17 contract.
On one side, you have the Liberals leasing aircraft while on the other, the Bloc have no procurement plan. The current government is committing to four aircraft, which is a much broader and more global procurement strategy.
I would also like you to tell me about your association's proactive involvement. This morning, for example, the people from Pratt & Whitney, which already belongs to a consortium, suggested a Spanish plane as a solution, and told us that the solution was Canadian. We have to become involved upstream rather than downstream. I remain extremely confident that the C-17 will bring enormous benefits for Quebec.