Good afternoon, everyone. This is meeting number eight of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, Monday, March 9, 2009. It is also Commonwealth Day. I think it's the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth.
We welcome you here. We're continuing our review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy.
Today from the University of Toronto, we have Stephen Clarkson, professor of political science. From the University of Ottawa, we have Mr. Donald McRae. He is the Hyman Soloway professor of Business and Trade law. Also, appearing as an individual is Carl Grenier, associate professor with the department of political science at Laval University. Welcome.
Our committee provides an opportunity to our guests to open for approximately 10 minutes. We will then go into the first round of questioning. I'm not certain if you've drawn straws or whatever. I did mention Mr. Clarkson first, so if that would be all right, we would proceed with Mr. Clarkson.