I would first like to point out that I am new to the coast guard. I joined the organization in June 2010. When I learned about the operation of the Amundsen and the history behind it, which I tried to summarize for you, I was told that when the initial application was made to the Canada Foundation for Innovation, it was already known that the researchers would seek funding from oil companies. That was already known in 2002, and it was indicated in the application. Everyone was aware of it.
As for whether there is a conflict of interest or not, I asked myself the same question, as the commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. To the extent that our role is strictly operational, I do not see a conflict of interest. We do not carry out research for oil companies. All the research activities we conduct on the vessel are in the public domain. To my knowledge, none of the activities being carried out on the vessels is in the private domain, specifically, the property of the oil companies. There is no direct relationship between us and the oil companies. The funding they provide goes to ArcticNet. We have an agreement with Université Laval, and they are the only ones we send our bill to. Université Laval then draws the money from ArcticNet.