That's an excellent message.
Now, let me tell you this: after getting involved in the anti-seal-hunting campaign issue, I quickly understood that we were dealing with some powerful people. I'm referring, in some ways, to multinationals. In fact, the Humane Society and the IFAW have about US$100 million each from public donations. These funds have been collected in fundraising campaigns which have been conducted in a demagogic fashion and have involved propagating misinformation.
When it comes to sealing, it's become increasingly apparent to me how important it is for the message to be transmitted by those engaged in it, those whose livelihood depends on it, and for whom it is part of a culture. These people need to go to Europe and meet with the Europeans and, at a later stage, with the Americans. This would be a better way of getting the message through. For about 30 years, we have relied on our politicians, and our representatives. They have probably tried to fix the problem, but I don't think that they've tried hard enough. Furthermore, the argument voiced by a person engaged in sealing and whose livelihood depends on it, will hold more weight than that of a spokesperson.
And that is why I got people from the Magdalen Islands to come to Quebec City and Ottawa to meet European parliamentarians. A number of parliamentarians also came to visit us. And let me say in passing, that I would be honoured to have you visit us. It would give you an opportunity to speak with other seal hunters. I'm sure that you would all get along well. It is crucial in my opinion—and this is probably going to be one of our recommendations—that people like you should be the ones on the front lines getting the message out there and fighting the campaign they are waging. That would really work, in my opinion. It would be an extremely tough fight, but it is a fight that still hasn't been lost.