Mr. Speaker, first of all let me say that we agree that the strength and the health of the Canadian aerospace industry are of vital importance. This is a niche in which Canada has been very successful. In terms of sales, our aerospace industry is fifth in the world.
I am very well aware, as the member has made me aware, of the fact that there are a number of companies that are very important in the aerospace sector in the Winnipeg region. Bristol Aerospace is expected to win a very large contract very shortly from the U.S. government. Boeing expects to play an important role in the 737-X program.
The fundamental means of providing support to the aerospace industry, apart from the general policy framework that we have, is the defence industry's productivity program. That will be the cornerstone as promised in the red book of our defence conversion initiatives. We expect that we can continue to use that program as a very vital tool-most of its contributions are repayable-to ensure that the Canadian aerospace industry in Winnipeg and in the rest of Canada continues to be very competitive in the world.