Thank you, Madam Chair. The policy has been in place for a number of years. It has been applauded by many Members of our community. Recently, it has become the object of some criticism from certain sectors. We buy it but while we cannot measure and give detailed cost breakdown as to the benefits it has provided, we can point to some very visible changes, positive changes that this policy has brought. On the contrary, the critics have yet to bring any substantive numbers to the argument either that says here are some very clear, substantive, decisive reasons why it is to the detriment of the north and the people in the communities that this policy is still in place and should be scrapped.

So I stand on the side of small "c" conservatism on this policy, that if it has done well and is still doing some good, then there is reason to keep it in place. It is also the only shield we have in the global environment, at this time, the free-trade environment to protect our northern businesses. That is a very substantive reason to not mess with the universe the way it is unfolding.