That is quite some question Mr. Robillard!
I'm sorry, I will revert to English in order to be precise in this area.
One of the issues that Canadian companies face, not just at NATO but in any foreign sale, is the question that will come up: “Have you sold this equipment or service to your own government?” This is because the practice in other countries is very much that if you have a good service, a good product, your government will buy it. There is a feeling in other nations that if your government has not bought it, there maybe something wrong with what you're trying to sell.
So one of the best ways the Canadian government can support industry in this environment is to be what we call the “first buyer”.
If our government needs a product from a Canadian company, I encourage them to buy it.
The PSPC first buyer program is being expanded, which is indeed a very good step, and we like to see it being expanded into the Canada innovation program. This is very good.
Second,
… as my colleague Mr. Verreault said, NATEX positions in NATO are extraordinary resources for Canadian companies. I am very encouraged that we now have one and a half NATEX positions. Given the distance, I wonder if it would not be better to have more positions.