Thank you, Madam Chair.
I have read the amendment carefully. Honestly, I don't think it's necessary. Excluding Quebec from the implementation of the national strategy when other provinces have exactly the same expertise runs counter to the purpose of such a strategy.
As I said earlier, the national strategy is a collaborative effort. Some provinces are still using Excel spreadsheets to make flood forecasts, which is unacceptable. By inviting all 13 provinces to the table, we can maximize the expertise of every province and ensure that everyone is pulling in the same direction. I think Mr. Pomeroy put it very well. The 13 flood planning experts have never sat around a table together. That has never happened.
I believe the federal government's resources will assist the 13 flood and drought forecasting systems. I find it hard to imagine excluding Quebec, as a provision in the legislation specifically states that, in order to adopt the national strategy, Quebec must be explicitly consulted. This is very clear in the regulations. So I don't see the point of the amendment as such.