Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Welcome, gentlemen.
I would like to begin by thanking you for your wonderful frankness and, at the same time, for your committed statements, which seem to come from this commitment over the years.
I will be directing my questions more to Mr. Jim Winter, for several reasons. We had the opportunity to meet concerning the seal hunt file.
I fully understand your commitment on this matter. We have already had the opportunity to talk a little bit about it. I however wish to understand better. How is it that you are so passionate, so interested in the NAFO file?
Unfortunately, in the Maritimes, outside of statements made by you, by Danny Williams, by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, by Mr. Applebaum and others, there is no such passion. This passion cannot be found elsewhere, in Nova Scotia, in New Brunswick or even in Quebec.
I would like to have a better understanding. How is it that you are so interested in this matter and that you defend with such vigour the fact that what has been negotiated to date must absolutely not be ratified?