Good afternoon, everyone. This is meeting 24 of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Today we are continuing our review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy.
As you know, we are conducting hearings in regard to the Great Lakes regions of Africa. Our witness today, from the Canadian Council on Africa, is Lucien Bradet, president and chief executive officer.
We also have a number of other guests at the table. We welcome Mr. Robert Blackburn, the senior vice-president of the Africa division of SNC-Lavalin; and Monsieur Karl Miville-de Chêne, the president of Contacts Monde, Montreal.
We welcome each one of you to the committee.
I think, Mr. Bradet, you have an opening statement, and then we'd be pleased if you would field some questions from our committee. We look forward to your comments.