Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the minister for joining us today.
The purpose of today's meeting is actually for the crown to present its request to Parliament to spend money. That's what is actually being discussed today. We as parliamentarians, on behalf of Canadian taxpayers in particular, want to ensure that Canadians are getting value for their money. Some members wish the crown would spend more within the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. Some members might feel that the department should be spending less.
Through your main estimates and your report on plans and priorities, you presented your prioritized spending plans. I note several things in there, especially in the RPP. In the budgetary planning summary, I see some reductions in spending in most of the program areas, in keeping with our government's effort to reduce the deficit. I see increased estimates in support of international commerce in particular. I see spending at about the same levels in international development and international humanitarian assistance. Of course, some priorities and events, such as typhoon relief or earthquake relief, are inherently difficult for Foreign Affairs to predict. Another event that was very difficult for us to predict was the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Minister Nicholson, could you expand on some of your comments earlier about the atrocities that ISIL is carrying out on ethnic minorities? Why is it so important that Canada fight to stop these horrors from being committed? Also, do you feel there's enough in your estimates to rise to these challenges?