Thank you for testifying today.
I think that, in appointing you, the government has given itself a good showcase. Perhaps it wants to atone for certain things, or to consider the serious consequences emerging from the report of the roundtables. It contained a number of recommendations. Socially, and as a government, it had to make at least a small gesture.
Just before you, we heard two forceful pieces of testimony. You were here. You heard the lady from Argentina and Mr. Tougas report to us on events in the Congo. What is apparent from that testimony is the major lobbying being conducted by the mining companies in those countries on the states in place, among other things. They are very powerful and they are exercising very strong pressure, which considerably undermines the efforts of people on the ground. These people are fighting a titan. We can say as well that the Government of Canada is also under pressure from the mining companies.
You, who are a recently appointed counsellor, are dealing with two cases, those we heard about this morning. What are you doing about that? Where do you begin? You heard these two people who came and denounced abuses and environmental disasters. They are witnesses, and they have files; this is well documented. What will you do afterwards, once you've met those people?
Aren't you just a messenger to the Minister of International Trade?