Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Dubeau, Mr. Hounzangbé and Ms. Guay, thank you for being with us today to discuss these issues, which are generating a lot of interest.
In the Westminster model, one of the main roles of Parliament is to oversee spending, somewhat like a watchdog. It must make sure that taxpayers' money is being invested wisely. That is more or less what we are doing today: We are doing our job.
As parliamentarians, we have to make sure that the public service and our diplomats and representatives have the tools and equipment they need to do their work, particularly when it comes to foreign relations and diplomacy.
Canada actually is a G7 country; we are not going to host people in a broom closet. We have to be able to do our work and present Canada in a professional light.
What do you think the consul general in New York needs?
How does having this function in a metropolis like that benefit Quebeckers and Canadians?