Government Operations committee  Well, that's it. We used to have a very robust and vibrant defence industry several decades ago. Unfortunately, we lost that, but if you exclude those large tickets, a very large majority of our buy is here in Canada. It's de minimis what isn't.

Government Operations committee  No, we're just following the rules. Basically anybody--an Australian company could bid today on anything we have on our screen.

Government Operations committee  I'm not aware of that actually happening on a large scale. What we're trying to do now with this new system Mr. Marshall is implementing is that we have 34 large standing offers that'll be implemented over the next six to nine months. We want to make sure.... For example, when we're buying cars, we realize that if you buy cars in a certain quarter of the year, you'll have more options for free than if you buy them in a different quarter.

Government Operations committee  Yes, a policy has applied to all supply contracts since April 1 of this year. Instructions have been given to our professionals.

Government Operations committee  I'll let Mr. Bennett answer that question.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for the question. I'm not surprised people are skeptical about this effort. I understand that the small and medium business community and the industry have been lobbying Ottawa for several years. It's not a partisan thing; they've been around here, and they've noted something that anybody, really, could have observed: if you're trying to do business with the Government of Canada and you're provided with an 80-page RFP with links to various websites that have other criteria for the supply of desks, and if you're a small company with six or seven people in the head office who are doing all sorts of other functions, you don't have time to go through all this, while the bigger guys can have staff totally devoted and dedicated to understanding how to do business with us--so there's an imbalance in terms of the competitive environment.

Government Operations committee  I'll answer your questions in the order in which you've asked them, if you see no objection to that. I believe in savings. One program began under the aegis of the last government, but I don't think this is a partisan issue. When the State spends this much money annually, anyone in my place would try to find ways of saving money.

Government Operations committee  I've read it. If you want to read it...sure, it's your nickel.

Government Operations committee  It should be the rule.

Government Operations committee  I understand where you're driving with this concept. I think, as a rule, when we're contracting, whether we're buying pencils or out there seeking additional space, we should always be on the lookout for what the comparables are, and hence try to get the best product at the best price.

Government Operations committee  Can I respond? I think I know what the question was.

Government Operations committee  Ian, would you like to take this one?

Government Operations committee  I want you to know that I would have cancelled in any case. At least I'm honest. Thank you very much for inviting me here today. I have a brief statement to make. As you know, this is my first appearance as Minister before a Committee of Parliament. I can assure members of the committee that I will answer their questions to the best of my ability and I will, of course, carefully listen to their views.

Government Operations committee  First, thank you for inviting me. I want to apologize. I was supposed to be here a few weeks ago, but that was the day Mr. Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia, was here.