Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, I fully appreciate what you said about how difficult it is to talk to the two Michaels' families. As a former Quebec minister of public security, I had to talk to parents and spouses of police officers who died in service a few times. I must say that those are very difficult moments, but they are particularly rewarding.
As my colleague Mr. Paul‑Hus said a few minutes ago, we learned in The Globe and Mail that Global Affairs Canada reportedly issued an opinion that went against the Department of National Defence's decision to cancel joint exercises planned between China's People's Liberation Army and the Canadian Armed Forces on a base in Ontario. We heard the point of view of the minister and his officials when they appeared.
Why did you issue a contrary opinion when it was logical to cancel those exercises?