Mr. Chair, I get the impression that this has not been a top priority. I have given several examples of missed opportunities, of times when this should have been at the forefront and at the top of the list. However, the industry has always been ignored, even though it is an extremely important industry, one that is also important to the Americans.
During a mission to Washington, I met with representatives of the National Association of Home Builders. They are radically opposed to what is going on and are wondering whether the folks in charge are crazy. At a time when there is a housing crisis and millions of Americans are struggling to find housing, construction costs are going up. Home ownership is extremely difficult, access to housing is just as difficult and, suddenly, we find out that this is happening.
Alliances could have been built, but the government's approach has clearly failed so far. It was supposed to resolve the issue in a matter of weeks or months at the most, but the situation remains unchanged as of today.