I was applauding the work being done by Canadians in Africa.
Professor Grant said earlier that he has been going to Africa for 20 years. I have been going for 21 years, if not 30. I have seen the development of Canada's presence. I went to Africa many times during my 12 years as the secretary general of the francophonie and then my seven years as president of Rights and Democracy. I think that I know Africa, as much as a person can know another society. It isn't easy, even if the person has been there many times. I see Canadians working. I see them trying to make their mark on the changes taking place on the continent. However, they are operating in an environment where Canada's profile and visibility have significantly declined in recent years.
Some 15 years ago, Canada was a great signature in Africa. It is not a great signature anymore. A lot of things are made by Canadians—great things in Africa—but something is missing.
What's the goal? What's the vision? What are the target areas? Is the goal to work in energy? People are familiar with energy. I'm looking at a member from Alberta here on the committee. Quebec is also familiar with the energy sector. Is the goal to work in this sector, or in agriculture or education? You can't work in every sector. However, right now, it seems that people are working in just about every sector, a little bit here, a little bit there.
Interestingly enough, Canada's signature is nowhere to be seen on the African continent. I'm sorry to say it, and I miss it. I was listening to the people who spoke earlier about the Pearson peacekeeping centre. I remember when this centre existed. I also remember the Rights and Democracy organization and the co‑operation of the Supreme Court of Canada and parliamentarians, which no longer exists. That's all more or less gone now. Canada no longer has the instruments that it once had, instruments of the highest quality.
As part of the ensuing discussion, I would like to be asked about the focus, methods and goals that Canada should have for the African continent, including the Sahel region, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.