Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Thank you very much to the minister for being present at my very first Standing Committee on International Trade meeting as international trade critic for the NDP. It's a pleasure to be joining all of my colleagues in this important work.
I know the study on EVs, particularly as it relates to the serious issues that have been brought to the New Democratic Party. Largely, the issues pertain to domestic protection of good union jobs here, but they're also about protecting the integrity of workers across the globe. That includes workers who are being exploited, whom we know of, in explicit cases in China. I'm really pleased to see the work related to these tariffs. I know it's an important piece of this work, and it's something I'm pleased is finally happening.
As you know, I'm a bit dismayed about the length of time it took, but I'm just glad that we're here today and tomorrow. It will have an impact on our businesses here, so I want to thank you for that.
In your opening remarks, you spoke about the importance of the EV production sector here in Canada. You spoke about the relationship between the government and its investment of nearly $37 billion in the production of EV capacities here in Canada. Of course, that's going to take a tremendous amount of investment and work overseas.
You're also simultaneously looking at trying to shore up supply chains for critical minerals elsewhere, including in Ecuador. Is that correct?