First of all, I came under almost the same conditions as Mr. McCurdy, in that I was invited to come, so I didn't think it would be wise or necessary to present a long dissertation on the background, and things of that nature, but I'd just like to point out a few.
First of all, I started out in DFO, of all places, in 1962, so I do have a little bit of history attached to some of this. Having been at my first NAFO meeting in 1979 and having covered about 60% of them since then, I've had the unique experience of wearing at least three hats, one with the federal government as a bureaucrat and a political adviser, a second as a provincial deputy, and a third while being involved with the territorial government in Nunavut and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and their activities in fisheries.
For a long time, I guess, I was one of those who was very concerned about the way NAFO was operating and the lack of progress. I don't mind saying that, because there's a long history of very difficult situations.
The other obvious part I've played in this is that for a few years I was with Fishery Products International, the big fish company that disappeared a couple of years ago, and that gave me the industry perspective on the whole NAFO scene and indeed an expanded background in fisheries generally. I retired a few years back, but still do work in fisheries, primarily out of Nunavut, and some activity in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Nova Scotia.
I appreciate the opportunity to come here. Like Earle McCurdy, I'm much more interested in trying to the best of my ability to answer questions, as opposed to pontificating on my background and experience with NAFO.
Thank you.