International Trade committee  Well, specifically for trade they're great, because mining is growing faster and faster in emerging countries. Just look at Africa, for example. You just have to look at how Canadian mining companies alone are betting with their money. The balance sheet assets of Canadian mining companies outside of Canada are worth $215 billion.

International Trade committee  I just wanted to point out that with what was announced in Quebec last week, things are moving in that direction.

International Trade committee  No. As I think I said in my presentation, I'll leave these matters up to people who know more about them than I do. I'm just interested in free trade with emerging countries.

International Trade committee  Ill take the last one first. I'll go back to Monsieur Morin, who is concerned with how other countries might look at Canada's getting into this, that, or the other thing. I agree with Carlo that it's not a major thing in this case, but as a person who has spent most of his life in marketing and selling that kind thing, I like to pursue opportunities.

International Trade committee  I'm honoured to be here to contribute the view of the Canadian mining supply sector to your deliberations on the benefits of Canada joining the Pacific Alliance as a full member. Good afternoon everyone. I am pleased to be here today representing Canada's mining supply sector. My presentation will be in English, but I would be delighted to answer questions in French.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  If we compare with the forestry industry, for example, in the last budget, just to give you one little tidbit, the forestry industry got $160 million over two years. For what? For innovation and marketing. We have the Canadian Mining Innovation Council sitting there—it's an embryonic thing—needing help, needing finance, and of course, there's nothing in that budget.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Not quite. Yes, we do import. Effectively, since the World War II, Canada has not had tariff barriers to let in the world's mining equipment, and services, and technologies, and so on. But that's a strength for us, because it means that the mining suppliers who exist have to be world competitive—and they are.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  From the prospectors' point of view, there's a similar program. I won't go into it because of the lack of time. On the communications side, it's hard for industry to communicate these things. You can spend a massive amount of money and not get very much in return. However, at the last mines ministers conference, which was held in Saskatoon in September of last year, the ministers determined that the theme of this year's conference, which will take place in St.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  All right. The brand is strong, but our branding, our communicating about it in the world and in Canada, is not sufficient.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  I gave you some numbers on what the federal government is not doing in supporting research. CEMI should be supported by the federal government, but it should be one of four centres of excellence in the country. We need one in British Columbia, we need one in Saskatchewan, and we need one in Quebec, on top of CEMI.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  The Department of Human Resources has a program aimed at assisting all sectors in the area of labour. It helped us create the Mining Industry Human Resources Council or MIHR. This council has been in place for a long time, but it was restructured some two or three years ago. According to a study carried out by the Council, we will be lacking between 60,000 and 90,000 employees in the coming years, perhaps within five years, as Mr.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Yes.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Firstly, there will be a reduction in mineral exploration investment in Canada and in Quebec. This investment amounted to $2.5 billion last year and it will drop off over the coming years if this credit is no longer. I mentioned the need for junior companies to survive. If this source of funding is eliminated, we will witness the disappearance of half of the companies, as I have predicted, if the situation were to last two or three years, but there will be many more.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  We began by having discussions with officials from Natural Resources Canada and then with officials from the Department of Finance. Given that I did not attend those meetings, I am unable to give you a precise answer. Nevertheless, overall, the government considers that this tax credit must be reviewed from time to time.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Maybe Paul can reply on resources and I'll reply on trade and services.