Government Operations committee  There are quite a few SMEs, but I don't have the exact number. Companies of all sizes have applied. There are large companies, such as those in the automotive sector, for example, and there are smaller ones. We support both small businesses and large businesses. You can't just give money or support to one type of business.

Government Operations committee  Yes, there are. First, there are different kinds of mechanisms depending on the type of work the company does. There is the strategic innovation fund program, which allows for larger investments when the company needs to be innovative in order to change its type of production to meet a specific need.

Government Operations committee  The government can support businesses in a variety of ways. For example, there are all the programs that the government has launched for businesses. There are also programs to support workers and businesses, but we are not necessarily the ones who manage them. I'm talking about programs for the manufacture of products for the health sector.

Government Operations committee  As part of the made-in-Canada approach, we're working very closely with colleagues at Health Canada and the Public Health Agency to try to ensure that we have sufficient domestic capacity on the testing front to be able to support the testing volumes that will be needed by the provinces and territories and the federal government.

Government Operations committee  Can I use this channel to speak in French or do I have to change channels? I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Government Operations committee  All right. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough that companies can take more than one route. There are companies that already have production capacity and are able to sell their products and services. PSPC offers these companies the opportunity to register and offer their products.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, I think, again, that question is probably best directed to the procurement ministry because they are the ones who will make those purchases and do the follow-up.

Government Operations committee  Well, one thing we are responsible for as a ministry is to work closely and have a good relationship and good visibility with major industrial sectors in Canada. I could give just a couple of examples. We have a good relationship and work closely with the automotive sector, and have for many years.

Government Operations committee  No trouble, Mr. Chair. There have been about 6,000 companies that have applied to date. We haven't rejected anybody because it doesn't really work that way, but basically we're going with firms that are able to fill the identified gaps. We're still doing the count because in some cases we're not directly contracting.

Government Operations committee  These are new funds, and the plan for these funds is, as I mentioned before, to support the development of medical countermeasures. In my layperson's simple terms, that would be in support, for example, of large-scale vaccine clinical trials as well as manufacturing capability to produce a vaccine at scale for the Canadian population.

Government Operations committee  I would say that, as the Deputy Prime Minister has been widely quoted in the press as saying, there is a bit of a Wild West internationally in terms of efforts to procure these kinds of supplies. I'll be frank with this committee that I'm not directly involved in the international procurement of these supplies.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, I think the great answer to that is that in many cases we do. This is new territory, I think, for many of us, in the private sector as well as in government. A lot of innovation has been brought to the table. I can give just a couple of examples. There's a global shortage of the specialized fabric that's used to make medical and surgical gowns and other kinds of protective clothing, but we've been able to discover Canadian-made fabric that actually meets all of the specifications of Health Canada.

Government Operations committee  Well, Mr. Chair, I think I'd be going out on a limb making a definitive declaration, but certainly, in the case of gowns, for example, the volumes of this kind of alternative fabric are significant, and my understanding is that we're not concerned about a shortage in that area because we found these alternative supplies.

Government Operations committee  Thank you. I will proceed with my remarks in English, just because of the challenges of having to switch back and forth with my laptop computer here, but I will say that I would be honoured to respond to members' questions in either official language. It will be an honour for me to respond in the official language of—

Government Operations committee  I'm very sorry about this. I was just on with the industry committee and things were working fine, so I'm hopeful it's not my equipment. I have a high-speed connection here. I was going to say, just as all departments have been called on to protect Canadians and our economy during this extraordinary time, Innovation, Science and Economic Development has been working hard and trying to do its part to deliver a strong, immediate and effective response.