Industry committee  On the foreign ownership issue, the government had released a discussion paper that was widely commented on and discussed. Similarly, the department released a discussion paper on the 700 megahertz and 2500 megahertz bands and sought input. It was done in a very transparent manner.

Government Operations committee  Do you mean the new copyright bill? There's nothing, I think, in the estimates until the bill is actually passed. I think a committee is going to be set up in the new year between various committees. We don't have anything yet. But I would note that copyright is one of our pillar pieces of legislation for the digital economy.

Government Operations committee  I just thought I'd cue the new folks.

Government Operations committee  That may have been done by the folks you're going to talk to in perhaps three minutes.

Government Operations committee  The Business Development Bank of Canada is our main intervener in this area. I will tell you about two of their initiatives. The first one, which is in progress now, consists of increasing the number of consultants-experts available in this sector. That way, when SMEs come to see them to apply for a loan or obtain management-related advice, the consultants will be able to help them since they will have the appropriate skills in this field. the Business Development Bank of Canada addresses three areas: venture capital, loans and consulting services.

Government Operations committee  I referred to a meeting I attended yesterday with other deputy ministers. We agreed to ask the BDC to present what it has done at the next federal-provincial meeting in order to inform all the provincial representatives.

Government Operations committee  I have a couple of points. First, you referenced getting more information about the knowledge infrastructure program. This is a bit unusual, but I would recommend to you the recent Auditor General's report, which spoke eloquently about how this program was managed and about what it achieved.

Government Operations committee  Well, at some point these repayments will continue to trickle down, because they are old. Take for example a Pratt and Whitney engine that was supported by this program. They have new engines on the market that are much more fuel-efficient, and therefore they're having a hard time selling the old engine, because we have supported them in the development of a new engine.

Government Operations committee  As for the digital strategy, I think that the interest of Industry Canada is obvious. The overall perspective will help increase the country's competitiveness. We work very closely with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada in this area. However, there is another area where we are in a more central position.

Government Operations committee  We discussed that question when we met with the representatives of the provinces. We held a meeting with the ministers and another one with the deputy ministers. The purpose was to ask my provincial counterparts to consult with their colleagues in the various education ministries or the departments responsible for post-secondary education.

Government Operations committee  From economic development.

Government Operations committee  For some time, I was the deputy minister of education in Ontario for post-secondary and primary education. I know the limits. There are areas where the federal government should not go.

Government Operations committee  We are proud of our department and we are proud of the stewardship we have over these expenditures. We seek every platform possible to share that pride.

Government Operations committee  The Government of Canada has had a long history of partnership with the.... I'll focus on the aerospace industry. I think this goes back to WWII, when we were the manufacturing production house for the Allies. The Government of Canada's commitment partnership has been sustained through a variety of programs over the decades.

Government Operations committee  Could you specify more clearly what you mean by outsourcing?