—and then you brought it to the right to be heard.
There has never been any direction by anyone to suggest that someone couldn't be heard because they're opposed. There was an implication there, and I reject it in its entirety.
Now, in terms of the import regulation border processes, the single-window initiative —we're talking about the border here, trade across the border—will allow Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency to share electronic information on imports to Canada, reducing paperwork and improving efficiency at the border.
Thickening of the border is a serious issue. We trade with the United States some $2 billion every single day. This is the biggest bilateral commercial relationship in the entire world, and it's of enormous benefit to Canada.
This initiative was approved by the Treasury Board in 2012. Natural Resources Canada received $3.9 million over five years to deliver its part of the solution; $749,000 was received in year one, fiscal 2012-13; and $788,000 is allocated in fiscal 2013-14.
Reducing the burden on importers through actions under the single-window initiative reflects our commitment to support the competitiveness of Canada's trade community in ensuring public safety and security while minimizing the cost to Canadian industry and end users. Streamlining does not mean degrading safety.