Thank you very much for the question. This has been a perennial issue in the Canada-U.S. relationship. We have talked about missile defence since Ronald Reagan first proposed the idea of the strategic defence initative, and I think Canada's position has been skeptical that the technology could work.
Over time, however, the Americans have shown that they can make the technology work, not perfectly, but that ballistic missile defences are possible, and some of the arguments made against ballistic missile defences, that they may destabilize relations with other countries, have also not been proven out. Particularly as missiles are used less by Russia, and China, but more by irresponsible powers such as North Korea has become a matter of pressing concern.
What I think the problem will be is not a question of whether the U.S. would refuse Canadian participation; it's that Canada and Canadian governments, including the Chrétien government, the Martin government, even going back to the Mulroney government, have suggested that Canada might be open to some form of participation. This has led U.S. presidents and cabinet secretaries to propose formulas for Canada's participation, and each time Canada has declined ultimately to participate. That's your decision, and I think that's fine, but it will take a gesture from Canada to suggest that this time you really do want to participate, and if you do, I think you would be welcome to participate.