Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, Expro Chemical Products of Valleyfield signed a major contract with the U.S. firm OEA Inc. The value of this contract lies not only in the amount of money Expro will receive but mainly in its new mandate.
This company, which used to specialize in the manufacturing of explosives used mostly for defence purposes, has just been awarded its first contract for a civilian application. Expro is now responsible for supplying a propellent used in the air bag release mechanism for 1997 American car models.
This is a great example of the sense of innovation and initiative that drives Canadian businesses. Expro's example shows it is possible to convert defence industries to civilian and peaceful uses.