Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I think it's interesting to note for the record the incredible collaboration that's gone on between our NDP colleagues and the questions they've asked our witnesses--obviously prepared.
My question goes to both Mr. Gratton and Ms. Lissakers, if you don't mind.
I had the opportunity to meet with members of the extractive industry, not just from Canada, but a multitude of actors who are in Zambia. Zambia is known for its gemstones, particularly emeralds and garnets, and there have been people there for quite some time in the extractive industry. Twenty years ago Zambia was under a socialist regime and there was an expectation on the part of the government that these companies would contribute to education particularly, but also to health care facilities. Now that the government is a different style of government, many of these companies are still providing these kinds of resources to the country and the country has had tremendous benefit in education and health care.
Could you comment on the whole aid transparency initiative that's being undertaken, whether or not these companies, who are contributing in these mechanisms...? We talk about the money that goes back into the country, so would these companies not welcome these kinds of initiatives? Because they are contributing, but it's not really being recognized for the good that they are doing in the countries.
Could you comment on that, Ms. Lissakers? And then, Mr. Gratton, maybe you could comment from the extractive industry's perspective.