Industry committee  Yes, I do. I've just made clear that, with regard to the national security review provisions, we're talking about a very broad set of provisions where there is no dollar value. The definition of “national security” is left to the discretion of the government to assess based on the evolution of events, taking full account of current circumstances, which is an integral part of the act.

Industry committee  Madam Chair, perhaps I could address the question. The screening process is initiated in part by notices. Some 900 notices are received under the Investment Canada Act each year. There were over 900 the last fiscal year. Those are all made available in the system to our investigative bodies.

Industry committee  Thank you, Madam Chair, for this opportunity to discuss the Investment Canada Act as related to the committee's study. I'm the senior assistant deputy minister of the industry sector for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the deputy director of investments, responsible for supporting the director of investments and advising the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry on the Investment Canada Act.

Industry committee  Thank you, Madam Chair, for this opportunity to discuss the Investment Canada Act related to the committee's study. I am the senior assistant deputy minister of the industry sector for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and deputy director of investments, responsible for supporting the director of investments in advising the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry on the Investment Canada Act.

Government Operations committee  On the question of dumping, obviously, the production global oversupply, in particular of steel and other products, is a very sensitive and important topic for Canada. We've worked collaboratively on international fronts to encourage these practices to discontinue, obviously to protect our industry and the competitiveness of our industry.

Government Operations committee  The question of diversity, the practices of encouraging diversity and specifics of the procurement the government undertakes would be best addressed to Public Services and Procurement Canada, given that it has the overall responsibility for procurement for the federal government.

Government Operations committee  It is without question a consideration in the programs of ISED. I mentioned the innovative solutions Canada program. When it was first launched many years ago, it was very important, and we were very pleased to see that a minority-run business, in Winnipeg, was the first recipient of the program's support.

Government Operations committee  Specific SIF funding to scale production has not been a significant tool in the tool kit to this point to incent that production. The contracts that PSPC have put in the market have been very important. They have been at a volume level and of a long-term nature, which has allowed the company to have the wherewithal to invest the capital and make the arrangements with suppliers and so forth to bring forward that production.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, I would say it's more a question of the tool that's required to get the job done rather than a question of time frames or whether approaching our department through the strategic innovation fund is the longer-term negotiation or more complicated. I think the strategic innovation fund in the days ahead is the key tool to unlock the R and D potential, particularly to support vaccine and therapeutic development in the country.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for the interest in the work of the council and the question of how it will proceed and how it will inform Canadians as to its advice. I would indicate that, in the economic strategy tables process that had been run in the past, a very significant report was offered out of that process.

Government Operations committee  At this point, I would indicate that in the late summer period we expect to see it beginning its production in Canada. That portfolio production will start with surgical masks and then move up to the N95 masks over time.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, I would have to take that question under advisement to provide—

Government Operations committee  Obviously, the time frame for delivery of this product is very critical to us, but I would ask that we take the question.... I think, in fact, Public Services and Procurement Canada has a contract where these terms are spelled out. I suspect the answer lies in there and would be best shared by the appropriate officials, but thank you very much for the question; it's very important.

Government Operations committee  Yes, absolutely, they are a specialized product with a significant number of components and much more complicated than what meets the eye—

Government Operations committee  I thank the member for the question. I won't provide specifics on companies with which we're having confidential commercial conversations at this point. There will be information in due course that would come forward as decisions are taken. I would say the question is who might be interested in establishing their business in Canada to meet the broader needs of the economy.