Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
As my colleague Ms. Lalonde mentioned in a previous motion, the words "appropriate senior officials" translated as fonctionnaires compétents. All our officials are competent. So the word "concernés" should be used in the French version. That change should be made.
I agree completely with Ms. Lalonde, and not at all with Mr. Obhrai. We have to invite ministers before things are done. Once the decision is made, as in the case of Osaka and other regions, such as Milan, it simply looks like we are criticizing. If the department and the government came and told us why they are doing certain things in certain regions, first parliamentarians could apply some pressure and perhaps manage to see that these consulates are not closed.
The work done by consulates throughout the world is very important; we need them. The amounts of money saved are tinny compared to the total budget. Personally, I would be supporting Mr. Wilfert's motion without reservation.
Thank you.