I'm aware of those, but thank you. So there are no cuts coming.
I just wanted to touch on your comments about Africa. Minister, with respect, I have to say that I think there's a bit of a chasm here that seems to be widening, a chasm between where Canadians want the government to be—and that is in Africa—and where the direction of the government is going.
I was listening carefully. One of the things you mentioned is that you want to decentralize. You want more accountability, you want to be more effective, and you want to help where there are willing countries. You also mentioned the $23 trillion that has been collectively put into the region.
Most people that I talk to want to see us do more there, not less. I guess I'm a little concerned about this notion that you're going to be handcuffed as the minister. I want to support you as the minister. I don't want you to be going to cabinet when, as the minister charged with the responsibility of overseas development, you believe the priority should change. You should be able to have the power to do that.
I say that, Minister, because of what we have seen. It's actually not fair to say that all this money is being put into Africa. As you know, there's a lot of money coming out of Africa. On the resource-based industry that I think you talked about to one of the ambassadors you were mentioning, you will know that there are billions and billions of dollars going out of there and into our pockets. I have to say that because it's something that needs to be part of the equation. I know you know that.
I want to say to you, Minister, that if there's anything we can do to help you have more power at the cabinet table so that your hands aren't tied and you can actually focus on more countries, I think this committee would be willing to help you with that.
So here's what I want to ask you. Were you the one to come up with this idea of having countries of focus and that you would have to receive cabinet approval to change the countries of focus? Or was that an idea that was put on you? In other words, was it your idea to do this?