Thank you.
This is an incredibly important job. I am honoured that the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada asked me to take it on. It is at times a heavy task because of its importance, but it is a task that I'm proud and honoured to have. I've told several people that this is the best job I've ever had, and I'm sure it will be the best job I'd ever had when I'm done.
Representing one's country, as members of Parliament also do, is just about the highest calling, in my view, that one can have, and I take the job very seriously at every turn.
While I am not a diplomat and I've not served in government, I do bring skills to the table, I think, and I think the Prime Minister believed this when he asked me to take on the role. Whether they be business, negotiation or my legal background, to me, given the times that we are in in the United States and in our relationship with the United States, those skills come to the fore in building relationships, finding win-win solutions and building bridges. I will say that I feel, in my short time in the role, very supported by the government but also by all sides of the political aisle here in Canada, from the business community and from the premiers.
While I have a hard task, I have to say that, in the early days, in spite of some of the tough questions here, which I think are good to ask, I do feel that I'm supported by just about everyone in making Canada a success.