I call the meeting to order.
This is meeting number 4 of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, pursuant to Standing Orders 110 and 111, the order in council appointment of the Honourable Michael Wilson to the position of Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America, referred to the committee on Wednesday, April 26, 2006.
We have the pleasure to have as a witness this afternoon the Honourable Michael Wilson, Ambassador to the United States, as well as Mr. Peter McGovern, acting assistant deputy minister, North America, Department of Foreign Affairs.
First of all, welcome, Mr. Ambassador. We recognize you have held high-level federal government positions in the past. Your record of public service to Canada bodes well for the position you are now agreeing to fill, and your experience with past American governments' administration also prepares you to pursue positive relations with the United States on our country's behalf.
We're very happy to have you here this afternoon and very pleased that with very short notice you were willing to come to this committee.
I understand that, as is common, you have an opening statement. Welcome. The floor is yours.