Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I guess we'll hear directly from Ms. Ridgeway in the context of our questions.
What I basically want to know, Ms. Ridgeway, is if there's a particular element of your international plan that you're particularly proud of in your accomplishments. One of the things I've noted in relation to your line of duties was your help in negotiating and skilfully managing various complex and difficult files, such as the amendments to the NAFO convention, the defence of the Canadian seal hunt, the negotiations related to the WTO and fishery subsidies, and, as well, the Law of the Sea and the jurisdiction over the extended continental shelf.
One of the concerns I have is that we've had two former assistant deputy ministers of Fisheries and Oceans come before this committee and say that the amendments to the NAFO convention that have recently been negotiated are, quite frankly, destructive of Canadian international policy interests. We now have a situation where France will soon be claiming a significant portion of Canada's continental shelf and will be filing that claim with the United Nations under the Law of the Sea provisions. We have a complete ban potentially occurring in Europe on Canadian seal products. And we all know that Canada's position with regard to WTO and international fishing subsidies does not mesh with the rapporteur's recommendations or report.
For the money that has been spent on international policy development, we as a committee, or some of us on the committee, feel that we have been less than successful on those elements.
Why don't you add some input on those concerns I've raised?