Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Professor Charron, for joining us today.
I was very interested in your opening comments. You mentioned the chasm between perception and reality. I believe Professor Lackenbauer also discussed that a little in his presentation. For example, there is the reality of land claims issues, boundary disputes, or the lack thereof, in the Arctic region, and the perception of the average Canadian.
In my constituency in southern Ontario, about 100 kilometres from the U.S. border, in the greater Toronto area, there is a significant amount of interest in Arctic issues. It quite surprised me. In every election I've run in, and I've run in four elections, people bring it up at the door. They want to know that Canada is protecting the north. They ask all the time, proactively, even if I don't raise it. They're concerned about sovereignty issues in the north. They want to see the Canadian military present in the region. It brings home to them the reality. These are people who have a great interest in the north, although most of them have never been north of Sudbury and probably never will be.
However, it's important to all Canadians; that's the point I want to make. They need to know, and we need to demonstrate through government action, that all those issues are being taken care of. They need to know that Canada is represented in the region, that we're looking after the northern people and providing opportunities for them. They need to know that we're looking after the environment and making sure there is sustainable development of our resources there, and that we're ensuring that everyone in the world knows where Canada's territory lies in the region. That is very important to the people in my constituency, and I suggest across Canada as well.
I want to ask you, because you brought it up and I think it's very important, about the northern people. How do you think Canada can, through the Arctic Council, ensure that whatever development takes place in the Arctic region primarily benefits the indigenous people of the region.
Our government, with the leadership of Minister Aglukkaq, has made sure that the northern people are involved in Canada's northern strategy. She's just completed a round of consultations in the north, primarily with the indigenous people in the region. I contrast that with what's happened recently in Russia, where there's a report that the indigenous people of the region have been excluded from participation in the Russian delegation to the Arctic Council.
I wonder if you could comment on that. I would be interested in Professor Lackenbauer's comments as well.