Thank you.
We heard recent testimony from Merit Canada, Power-Tek Electrical Services, and Coffrage de béton Linden.
In that testimony, the representative from Merit Canada made the following comment—and here I'm just going from the blues, which is our recorded testimony—“In the city of Hamilton alone, their staff report has suggested that their closed tendering rules over the next 10 years would cost the city an additional $1.1 billion.”
Assuming that is an accurate statement—and frankly, I have not had that verified beyond the comments of our witness at the time—do you have any sense as to why that might be? This may not be fair to you—it would be hearsay—but have you heard testimony like that in the past where a closed shop would necessarily cost more? And if so, why might you imagine that to be the case?