Finance committee  We have approximately 200,000 members in Canada, and we would have at least twice that many in the United States.

Finance committee  Yes, absolutely. I consulted with our national director for Canada, Ken Neumann, and he asked me to present on behalf of the union.

Finance committee  It would certainly include a broad range of constituencies, including, first and foremost, the workers employed at the facilities being taken over. I think that is a really crucial component of net benefit.

Finance committee  I think it's important to review these takeovers to make sure they're beneficial to Canadians. A lot of other countries have similar processes. Australia, for example, certainly has some regulations around foreign ownership. So I don't think there's anything especially unusual ab

Finance committee  I am, yes.

Finance committee  I hold a bachelor of arts from the University of Regina, a master of arts from the University of Calgary, and a master of public administration from Queen's University.

Finance committee  I suppose I started working as an economist in 2005, after I graduated from Queen's.

Finance committee  I think we need greater transparency about how the decisions are arrived at, and also about the commitments that are made by foreign investors to achieve approval under the act. In addition to more transparency about the outcomes, I think we need a more open process to begin with

Finance committee  Yes, I've been a member of the New Democratic Party for 15 years.

Finance committee  As you may be aware, the United Steelworkers union itself is affiliated to the New Democratic Party. It's no secret that I'm a member of the NDP or that I was an NDP candidate in the past. It's not as though you've unearthed some deep dark secret here.

Finance committee  I've given you a presentation based on the experience that members of the United Steelworkers have had with foreign takeovers in the Canadian economy.

Finance committee  No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm not sure what this question has to do with the Investment Canada Act or the omnibus budget bill.

Finance committee  Having said that, I'm happy to answer it. Will you give me a chance to—

Finance committee  Could you give me a chance to respond then? It seems to me that—

Finance committee  Yes, I absolutely was an NDP candidate in the riding of Wascana.