Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
And thank you, presenters. Input such as yours will go a long way to helping us produce a much stronger set of recommendations to Parliament, leading to a national strategy. So I want you to know that your time here is extremely well spent.
I have two questions, and those of you who choose to answer may do so.
On the human side of the restructuring, this committee was instrumental in getting the government to advance the community development trust. Once we heard from the deputy minister of natural resources that it would simply be sent as cash to the provinces, we were somewhat dismayed, as well as surprised.
Question one: do you think this should have some federal earmarking so it could be directed specifically to something such as biofibre for forest industries and its workers, whether employed or laid off?
The second is a general question. Within the federal government's role of understanding provincial jurisdictions in natural resources, what would you suggest to help us drive a policy that will allow us to make these kinds of biofibre technological leaps?
David, please.