encourage research and development in canada's private sector and in our universities, colleges and polytechnics. it will look for ways to support innovation while ensuring that federal investment in research and development is effective and maximizes results for canadians. it will also release and implement a digital economy strategy that enhances digital infrastructure and encourages canadian businesses to adopt digital technologies and provide digital-skills training for their employees and new hires. in addition, our government will continue to cut red tape for small businesses so that they can focus their attention on growing their businesses and creating jobs. this will be achieved while maintaining the highest standards to protect our environment and the health and safety of canadians. our government will also continue opening new markets for canadian businesses in order to create good new jobs for canadian workers. since 2006, we have signed free trade agreements covering eight countries, and negotiations covering some fifty more are underway. our government will aim to complete negotiat