Foreign Affairs committee  I don't want to talk about Barrick, because I'm not that company. They are a member of the organization, and I think that we have to work with them, because they are doing good things around the world. I remember when I was young in Jonquière, Saguenay, my father used to say that the Americans were stealing our resources.

Foreign Affairs committee  I think the actual government did a good job when it came out with the labelling. That's an example. Deepak does not hear me. Mr. Ohbrai, I'm saying something good about you, and you're not listening.

Foreign Affairs committee  She was talking about the origin of the metals, and I was saying the present government did something good about it—the labelling of products to say where they are made, so citizens know where it is. I believe in fair trade. I believe in fair practices, and I think people should know more.

Foreign Affairs committee  No, because she says 53% is bilateral. That's what she said. I didn't invent that number.

Foreign Affairs committee  I admit that.

Foreign Affairs committee  Because that was last year. I'm looking at the future, and the future is scary. I was here last week. I saw the minister last week. I haven't seen the minister renew a commitment, number one. I haven't heard the minister talk about the 8% increase, number two. I haven't seen any of those statements, and before it happens I want to make sure we discuss those things.

Foreign Affairs committee  I can answer both questions, starting with the one about the embassy. I do realize that the Government of Canada--not only yours but the preceding one also--looked at closing embassies. I have no problem with that. Maybe we have to close certain embassies. My point is the following: if there's one place where you should not close embassies, it is Africa.

Foreign Affairs committee  I don't know whether that would be effective. Actually, it would be just as effective as a parliamentary committee can be. I believe a parliamentary committee still has a strong voice in democracy. You report on your activities in Parliament and you make recommendations. I know that other embassies will also be closing, but I don't know which ones.

Foreign Affairs committee  It seems to me that, in order to solve the problem, there need to be frank, transparent and open discussions with Canadians. All of you sitting at this table know Canadians. Yes, they are, I believe, in the midst of an economic crisis. However, I do not think that means that we should abandon Africans.

Foreign Affairs committee  The question of the aid is a complex one. The numbers game can kill you. The minister was talking last week of a $5.1 billion budget. She was talking of the $2.1 billion that was given to the African country before. The problem is that in the world we are living, the peace and security issue sometimes takes over what we believe aid is.

Foreign Affairs committee  I will answer the first question, and perhaps ask my colleague to maybe answer the second one, on what they see from their travels every day in the world. But I'm going to answer the first question. I have been in that job for seven years now. I did my studies in Rwanda when I was young, so Africa has been in my blood for the last 40 years.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Members of the Committee, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. We would like to thank the committee for giving us the opportunity to discuss Canada's relations with Africa. This question is of great importance to CC Africa, and we think it's a major issue for a large number of Canadians working in Africa.