Mr. Chairman, I first became aware of some of the new language in the summer, I believe, of 2007. That was in the context of comments that were made, I believe, initially by Mr. Applebaum. Subsequent to that, of course, the issue became more contentious as time progressed.
I have taken an interest in the activities of the World Wildlife Fund, which has observer status at NAFO. Over several informal meetings of the group, some of these concerns and issues came to the table.
I'm also involved with the Fisheries Community Alliance, although I'm not speaking on behalf of the alliance here today. Of course, it was in that context that we interfaced with the provincial government on the language of the new convention. My understanding is that it was also in that context, honourable members, that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador reflected further on the concerns that had become public and had been debated, and it was in that context that its position on some of the issues changed in recent months.