Thank you for the question, Mr. Ste‑Marie.

What we have to remember in the policy we submitted is that pillar 1 is really the desire to put a strategic framework in place. This issue has been discussed widely in Canada in the past, as part of the aerospace sector review exercises conducted in 2005 and 2012. We are not reinventing the wheel.

Pillar 3 is a bit of a catch-all, as you said. It incorporates all types of support in the ecosystem, whether it is meant for SMEs, R and D, exports, supply chains, or something else. This pillar also has an aspect relating to the entire subject of procurement and public contracting. The idea is to foster Canadian solutions in carrying out these projects, particularly when public funds are being used, in amounts sometimes reaching billions of dollars.

Ultimately, pillar 1, the one relating to the strategic framework, is going to make it possible to calibrate investments that will support each of the measures proposed in pillar 3. As I said, we believe there has to be a huge increase in the support made available for R and D. There is also the whole question of linkages and collaboration. The amounts needed are not enormous, but we have to give it a big boost and get back on track.

I would like to add one thing, in closing. At the start of the meeting, you asked what distinguished Canada from other countries in this regard. France is one example, with its strategic sector committees, or there is what is done in the United States or Germany. Even New Zealand has adopted an industrial policy for the aerospace industry. Based on the research we have done, what distinguishes Canada is that it does not have the will to establish a comprehensive strategic development framework to properly calibrate the funds that might be budgeted for this sector in a federal budget. You can't just sprinkle the money around; you have to make sure that it structures and develops the industry in the long term, for the benefit of our members. I would note that a healthy industry will ultimately mean better working conditions for our members.

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