Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Mr. Chair, perhaps I could just add a word. Actually, the government, about a year and a half to two years ago, announced the creation of a new program called the business network centres of excellence, based on the networks of excellence that existed for universities before. T

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Currently, the consequences are not as harsh because there is a certain amount of tolerance. I think too that the federal government has managed to negotiate an exemption for its employees who have what is called a security clearance. These employees can work on some ITAR project

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  You've described, of course, winning conditions, and those are important to the success of an industry. The only point I would add to the comments that have been made with regard to the rest of the world and its impact on what happens in Canada is that we also have a very strong

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Thank you. It's not easy to answer in the amount of time given, but let me just make a few points. First of all, to be successful the industry needs to have stable, predictable, comprehensive support from our governments. The industry needs to have stable, predictable, comprehe

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Thank you. I am going to start with the second question. Obviously, we are extremely pleased to finally see the creation of the aerospace caucus. I think that this is an excellent initiative. It shows that this is a pan-Canadian industry. Its members come from across the country.

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  True. The message is clear. I think that my colleagues will be delighted to work with the caucus and answer any requests that the chair and its members want to put to us. With regard to the military equipment purchase program, I have already commented on that subject. I think t

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  The short answer is no. We need to understand that the aerospace industry is a solid one. You heard this morning that a number of companies are investing in the future. For example, we talked about a program that will produce concrete results in 2013. No doubt, the industry is go

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  There are a couple more points I'd like to make in reply to the question. First, there is wide consensus that we must identify and support the needs of our military. That's first and foremost. However, at the same time, we want to maximize the benefits of these investments to th

Subcommittee on Canadian Industrial Sectors committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is an honour to be here today, along with several of my colleagues from the Canadian aerospace industry. My presentation will be mainly in English, but at a later date you will be provided with French and English versions of it. Of course, I will answer