Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to welcome the minister again. I'd also like to express kudos to the coast guard crew who are out there working with those sealers in those tough conditions. Canadians are certainly glad to see the support they're getting, and I express the opinion of other members here when I say we're glad there's been no loss of life in these difficult circumstances.
With regard to the coast guard, I certainly want to express my appreciation, the appreciation from those on the west coast, about the renewal program for coast guard fleet. I certainly think we have to invest in that infrastructure. We're glad to see that.
My question would come alongside the training of officers. I know in the MCTS crews that are monitoring the vessel traffic on the coast, for example, our officers are aging. They're very well-trained, but they have complicated jobs. There have been concerns about the investment in training manpower.
Could someone explain to us, Minister, or one of your officials, where we are at with the training program for MCTS officers and coast guard officers? Are we going to have the officers in place to man those new vessels as they come on board and for upgrading our staff as they come into retirement age at the MCTS centres?