Government Operations committee  That's not something we study. We're very aware of the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. This goes beyond your question a little bit, but we recognize that the whole system is there for the Government of Canada to get the best value for its money for taxpayers, and that

Government Operations committee  To add a bit more context, just to paint the picture a bit more, there are two processes: the process of the company against the Canadian government, and the state-to-state litigation. In the company against the Canadian government process, the companies can be foreign or domesti

Government Operations committee  I think that question is more for my colleagues from Global Affairs. I think what Mr. Burn was referring to is that in the area of the national security exemption, there is a case currently under review by the Federal Court of Appeal of a decision of the tribunal. I think he wa

Government Operations committee  You would like to know how the tribunal would react?

Government Operations committee  This question is more suited for my colleagues from Global Affairs Canada. As an internal tribunal, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal receives complaints that originate mostly from small and medium businesses in this country. In fact, I would like to say a word or two a

Government Operations committee  That would be before us. That's more in their realm as well. Contract splitting is not permissible according to the trade agreements.

Government Operations committee  I've had a few. The CITT, on the procurement side, you have to remember, is really a domestic tribunal. The word “international” is a bit of a misnomer. Actually, at one point, when NAFTA came on board, the procurement review board was the body that was doing the procurement rev

Government Operations committee  Well, there you go. We track a lot of things, but surprisingly, we don't track the activity before us by small and medium-sized enterprises, and I think it's simply because we never have been asked. However, in preparation for today and in going on, I'm going to recommend that

Government Operations committee  We don't follow, really, the interplay between procurement and dumping, but for sure a dumping complaint will first go to the CBSA, and the CBSA does have a very extensive program for aiding small and medium-sized businesses and other complainants to bring their complaint togethe