Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Allow me to begin by expressing my views on the situation in Somalia. The situation in the Horn of Africa is one of denial, and it has been for a long time. We are told that Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world. You described to us a situation so desperate that we can barely comprehend it. You tell us that no progress has been made. Canada is involved insofar as we donate money; however, to my mind, that is the easiest part, especially since it is a mere drop in the ocean when you consider Somalia's overwhelming needs.
Furthermore, no real effort is being made on the diplomatic front either. It is said that the Somalian diaspora plays an important role. However, we know that when Somalians come to Canada they often face unemployment and other problems. With all the good will in the world, they are not really in a position to bring about change in Somalia.
Do the Canadian government and CIDA have a vision? Do you have a specific objective in mind with regard to Somalia? Or, in countries subsumed by suffering, such as Somalia—or indeed Haiti, which we recently studied—is it simply a matter of acknowledging the problem and appeasing your conscience by providing enough food to give them something to eat every second day? This is a serious question, I am not trying to catch you out; I am just trying to understand. Canada purports to seek a role on the international stage and has signed conventions to eradicate poverty, and so forth. Why is it then that we do not have a more coherent strategy to address the worst of the problems, especially when we know that their situation could well constitute a ticking bomb for the entire continent?