Thank you.
Mr. Chair, as well as ladies and gentlemen of the committee, thank you for inviting me today. I am pleased to see you.
We are in the midst of an international security crisis. We are facing ever more complex modern challenges, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, acute political polarization, irregular migration and rising inequality.
Although our international institutions were never perfect, both they and their worldwide rules, forged in the ashes of World War II, represent the basis of global co‑operation. Now more than ever, they are being tested.
In recent years, this worldwide system has been tested by the challenges we are now facing. Our world is marked by geopolitical turbulence, by unpredictability and by uncertainty, especially on an economic level. In this time of global crisis and deep uncertainty, Canada must redouble its efforts and make investments in order to protect Canadians’ interests. At the heart of these interests is the relationship between Canada and the United States. This relationship exists on the level of geopolitics, security and economics.
That is what is at stake here. All of our allies and adversaries are making massive investments in their diplomatic presence around the world and in the U.S. Our Canadian presence abroad, and yes, including in New York City and the northeastern region of the U.S., is vital. Any suggestion to the contrary is extremely irresponsible and dangerous.
This area shares a border with Canada. It has a very high concentration of people, capital, institutions and other like-minded partners that are critical to Canada's interest both at home and abroad. Here, we can exert influence. Canadians expect us to be at the table.
The consulate general in New York is not only Canada's oldest consulate, it is one of our most important missions in the world. We're talking about access to a market worth more than $6 trillion, $200 billion in annual two-way trade in this region alone, and connecting Canadian exporters with international markets and providing essential market intelligence.
The consulate also directly supports Canadians particularly during crisis. You may recall a tour bus crash in upstate New York or the incident at the Rainbow Bridge last November.
We need a Canadian presence on the ground to liaise with U.S. authorities and relay accurate information. We cannot rely on Fox News, like Pierre Poilievre does, and end up calling the Rainbow Bridge incident a “terrorist attack”.
At Global Affairs Canada, we have 182 missions in over 112 countries. Real property management is the responsibility of a team of qualified officials. I gave them clear instructions to ensure that the rules were always upheld and that Canadian taxpayers got the best possible value for their money. That is what I expect of them.
As the committee heard, Global Affairs Canada officials followed all the procedures when downsizing the New York official residence. Their decision was made to guarantee the best value for Canadian taxpayers’ money, which is what I expect from my department. During the many meetings it held on the subject, the committee also heard that this was an operational decision, not a political one.
On a last note, Mr. Chair, I just want to say that I find it ironic that on the day of this historic and pivotal election in the United States, the opposition continues to argue that we should be reducing our presence in the United States. To be clear, I disagree.
American voters will make a choice today. Our government will respect that choice and work closely with the new administration.
I, for one, firmly believe that one of the most important ways to show respect for our neighbour, engage with them and build our relationship is face to face.
I will now take your questions.
