Foreign Affairs Committee on April 23rd, 2012

[David Tennant]

I think that in a country like South Sudan, where they have a myriad of.... They have tremendous mineral resources—not just oil—but if you start training programs where the people have the opportunity, just as we do in the western world, where we have the opportunity.... There's a company in Canada called EllisDon, which I think we all know about, and EllisDon has probably created and fostered more construction companies than any school or university. Why? They went, they were well-trained, and they decided to go out on their own.

That's a simple answer, but if you focus on that area, that's what I mean. It's not about waiting till the particular product is depleted. It's about bringing in these people when the international company goes in and starting the training programs then, so that they can achieve independence.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you.

Mr. Baker, do you have any final thoughts?

[Raymond Baker]

I agree with much of what Mr. Tennant has said about the importance of training. I indicated to you that I lived in Nigeria for 15 years and built a group of two manufacturing companies, a trucking business, and a financial holding company. I had a consulting practice on the side and so forth. I sold my last investment in Nigeria only three years ago.

Certainly, training has to be a key part of what we do. What I have turned my own attention to over the last 15 years is seeking to engender a higher level of responsibility in the way that many companies approach their business in the developing world, and I think we're making considerable progress in that connection.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you very much, Mr. Baker.

Mr. Tennant, thank you as well.

We had very good testimony today. We thank our guests for coming.

With that, we will suspend the meeting.

[Proceedings continue in camera]