Environment committee  Certainly. Thank you, Mr. Chair. To the first point about the evolution of Canada's position, I can certainly take that back, but I really do want to, if I may, with respect, manage the committee's expectations. We're certainly in a position to talk about our position today and what we're advancing, rather than debating previous policy positions the government took.

Environment committee  I think the issue of global conflict is certainly front and centre in all of our minds. Certainly at the department, we've played an active role, whether it's looking at issues related to the war in Ukraine or the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Across the department, through our numerous geographic bureaus and through our network of embassies, high commissions and consulates around the world, we're very alive to the potential for conflict and certainly report back through headquarters and across the interdepartmental community when issues arise that need to be flagged.

Environment committee  One moment, Mr. Chair. I'll just check my notes. I was briefed by colleagues who work in the human rights division before coming. Mr. Chair, Canada recognizes the human right of everyone to safe drinking water and basic sanitation as essential to the right to an adequate standard of living, and therefore implicit under Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Environment committee  With regard to the Columbia River Treaty and the Columbia River, I agree 100% on its importance. Mr. Chair, you may have seen that in the joint statement following President Biden's in-person visit, there was a reference to the two countries' commitment to modernizing the Columbia River Treaty, to accelerating work on the treaty.

Environment committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. My name is Niall Cronin. Since September 2022, I have been executive director of the U.S. transboundary affairs division at Global Affairs Canada. Like my colleagues, I would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people.

Fisheries committee  Certainly. I think there are a number of them. I think it speaks to the strength of the Canada-U.S. relationship and the foresight of Canadian decision-makers back in the day to codify some of those relationships. Certainly we'll take the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 as an example.

Fisheries committee  Mr. Chair, that's probably a question better answered by either the officials from DFO or the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. What I could—

Fisheries committee  Of the examples I have provided before, related to the International Joint Commission, Roosevelt Campobello park, or the International Boundary Commission, we don't have the same questions around governance. If I can be frank, we have had questions from the International Joint Commission on both the Canadian side and the American side about when we should be leveraging the commission, or not.

Fisheries committee  We do not have a memorandum of agreement between GAC and those organizations. I do understand that other departments have those with the IJC. I believe Environment and Climate Change Canada has an MOU with the IJC. I think what we do have with those organizations is an understanding of the process based on the conventions that govern these organizations.

Fisheries committee  Mr. Chair, we were very encouraged to hear from the CFO the other week that efforts are under way to make sure that there could be a reporting in the public accounts. Global Affairs would very much support that. It's helpful in our conversations with our American colleagues to demonstrate that Canada's meeting its obligations under the 1954 convention.

Fisheries committee  Mr. Chair, I appreciate the question. Again, I'm able to speak to the role of the transboundary affairs division and our relationship with DFO and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. On the broader role of Global Affairs with respect to defending and promoting Canada's fishing industry, I really would refer to colleagues, probably on the trade side of the department.

Fisheries committee  I have not, Mr. Chair.

Fisheries committee  Yes. Thank you for the question, Mr. Chair. Absolutely, the discussions continue across departments. Again, as colleagues from the Department of Fishers and Oceans said at their last appearance, those decisions rest outside of an individual department. That's why it's difficult for me to comment on the nature of them or who's involved and things like that.

Fisheries committee  I appreciate the question, Mr. Chair, but it's really not for me to make recommendations to the committee.

Fisheries committee  I appreciate the question, Mr. Chair. I will have to take that back, as it is a subject that the division doesn't deal with. I think what is always helpful when it comes to dealing with our American counterparts is being very clear with them about the reasons we are taking the decisions that we are, and the benefits of that decision, not just on the Canadian side but also on the American side.