Fine.
Last February, you testified before the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade as part of its study on Canada's interests and engagement in Africa.
I always get the impression that we're two steps behind the Senate committee on just about everything.
You pointed out that despite a period of strong ties, Canada’s history over the past two decades in Africa paints a picture of disengagement, to the point where, in some places, its influence has all but disappeared. You also pointed out that Canada only has missions in two‑fifths of Africa’s 54 countries.
I should add, since we're talking about a new type of partnership, that over the past few decades, Canada has signed free‑trade agreements with countries on every continent except Africa. To date, not a single free‑trade agreement has been signed with an African country.
There's a lot of talk about Canada's typical commitment on the international stage, and I get the impression that Canada itself isn't quite sure what its approach to Africa is. In our discussions with government officials, we talked initially about a strategy for Africa, similar to the Indo-Pacific strategy. Then, it was more like a policy for Africa, then a framework for Africa, and now we're not sure what to call it.
Can you shed some light on what Canada's approach to Africa is and should be?