Thank you, Chair.
Thank you all for coming here.
Very quickly, Mr. Royer, I don't want to get into this with you, but I think you're trying to have it both ways. In your introduction and background, you say the CLC does not agree with the government's contention that partnering with private companies to fund foreign aid projects is the best way to improve the lives of the world's poor. I haven't got enough time to let you respond, and maybe I will if we come right back to it, but I think it's a basic conflict of world views. Adam Smith said it's not for the benefit of the butcher that the baker gets up at five o'clock in the morning. I think this study is trying then to advance the cause of commerce and the spin-off. I think you believe that as well, but when you make a statement like that.... It's hard to have it both ways.
You may get a chance to come back with that; I just want to go to the mining group first.
CIDA has recently piloted three projects with NGOs: World Vision, Plan Canada, and WUSC—we had them here a few weeks ago—and the Canadian extracting business. The object was to develop capacity and experience. The government feels then that the private sector has much to offer in technical assistance and perspective.
I have three questions for you. Number one, what in your opinion can your association and the broader extractive sector as a whole offer to help reduce poverty in developing nations? Number two, what, if anything, is holding private companies back from playing a larger role in international development? Number three, how can developing natural resources in a sustainable manner contribute to poverty alleviation?
If you get those done, maybe we'll give Mr. Royer a chance to retort.