Good. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to wish a warm welcome to all the ambassadors who are here today representing the different African countries.
Thank you, Ambassador Amelete and, particularly, the Ambassador from Burkina Faso.
My question will primarily be addressed to the ambassadors representing countries who are members of the Francophonie, as I am the Liberal critic for International Francophonie. I will go right to them.
The Government of Canada has made a number of cuts. In 2007, the Leadership for the Environment and Development for Francophone Africa program was cut. Then, in 2008, the Canadian Fund for Africa had its funding significantly reduced. The latest cuts made by CIDA to its programs in Africa, and which the Government of Canada recently announced, affect bilateral aid in particular.
My questions, which are addressed in particular to the ambassadors from Niger, Burkina Faso, Rwanda and Benin, are as follows: what has been the impact of these three major cuts which I just mentioned to multilateral and institutional aid in your respective countries? Second, which sectors are most affected by these cuts? Third, how do you expect to be able to carry on the programs that are already underway, in light of the timelines you have signed on to with the Government of Canada? What areas are particularly affected by the cuts that have been announced since 1999 by the Government of Canada?
Thank you.