Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Hedderson, welcome again to Ottawa.
Custodial management, of course, was high on the radar for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. I don't know what progress was made between 1993 and 2006 when the Liberals were in power, but there was some hope that the Conservatives would follow up on their promise. This obviously wasn't achieved.
I was concerned by the questioning from the other side about Newfoundland's position and how we can negotiate if the province is changing its position. My own view is that the ratification process is there for a reason. If you couldn't have sober consideration of what had been put on the table, then there would be no need at all for a ratification process for international treaties.
My understanding is that what's going on right now in this room and in Parliament is a consideration of this treaty as to whether it ought to be ratified. I gather you're telling us that your full consideration of this matter, from a sovereignty point of view in particular.... I don't know if that was focused on. I know Mr. McCurdy didn't focus on it, according to what he said at public meetings in St. John's. It wasn't focused on, but now you're focused on it.
Would you care to comment on that? Am I getting this right or am I missing something here?