Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  What we've attempted to do is simply just provide the overview. So what I would encourage is if the committee is interested in understanding what individual sectors are experiencing and is attempting to get at issues like the financing question, then by all means invite the industry sectors of interest, those that are facing the challenges.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  I just want to know if I understand the question. Are you asking whether we are doing everything we can or whether the sector is fully aware of the financing-related programming that's available currently?

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  I'd say in a more general way, yes, we attempt to work both in terms of policy and in terms of on-the-ground direct contact at the firm level in a manner that takes advantage of our strengths. In so doing, we don't attempt to pick winners per se or decide who those are going to be.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  We certainly do attempt to work with industries, with firms, and with other levels of government on specific sectors. We do work closely with Foreign Affairs and also with the firms themselves to help promote and take advantage of those strengths. We don't decide on our own which they are.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Our sector does deal with IRBs. I'm not the IRB expert per se, but yes.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Yes. I'm aware of that concern, if you will. We do attempt, through the administration of the IRB program, to get back the greatest value for the taxpayer, for the defence sector, and for the Canadian industries that are supplying in and have that capability. There has been a policy review under way with respect to IRBs, where one of the questions is the very one that you've raised.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  It can be a good thing, and certainly the purchasing power of the Canadian dollar was enhanced during that period of time as well.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  While the messages in our prepared remarks were, of necessity, focused on some of the serious challenges faced in the short term, you are absolutely right. In particular, when we talk about cyclical effects, whether they be in a resource-based or a commodity-based sector, or aerospace and others, once global demand comes back, opportunities will be there to be exploited.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  We're certainly taking steps all the time, and in particular in the current climate, to try to improve and enhance the efficiency and the delivery of programming, whether it be funding arrangements or trying to reduce red tape on regulation, but to do that in a manner that also respects, if you will, our accountability to the taxpayer.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  That's one of the ironies, that in some cases there are unused funds in programs. And that's always unfortunate, particularly in times like these. That's why I say we're doing what we can to work through the front lines to try to bring greater focus, if you will, such that the moneys that are available are actually getting into the hands of those who need it.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  It would be very difficult to give any specific or concrete answer to that. Generally speaking, yes, economic opportunity and growth in one part of the country has a positive benefit and spillover into other parts of the country. At the same time, commodity prices and energy costs--for example, in the manufacturing sector--can be a challenge that has to be dealt with.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Good question. We actually have some specific programs in that area, but having said that, it's also an area where we do hear from companies and from associations that just navigating the array of programs, whether they're Industry Canada's or others, is one of the challenges we face.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Certainly if someone wants to make contact, either through a FedNor or directly, we attempt to do some navigation. Once again, it tends to be more web-based. We don't have offices spread throughout the country. We have some regional offices, which is where I would tend to point people towards.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  I don't think we should be too specific, but over the last year or two, for example, we began to hear about companies such as the auto parts sector--so let's say a tool and die maker--where traditionally the market has been autos and they are looking at whether they can apply that technology, that skill set, and sell it into the oil sands.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Unfortunately, I'll have to give a similar answer to the one I gave previously. The operation of the research credits is a matter of tax policy with the Department of Finance. It's definitely an area that a number of industries perceive as beneficial. But from a tax policy perspective, to date, the refundability has been limited within the program.