Thank you for being here. I listened carefully to your remarks and I am asking myself a question. We are almost at the end of our study. Mr. Connell, I read what you wrote very carefully. By listening to you and reading what you wrote, I am wondering if we shouldn't try to trigger—I am going to be careful about how I word this—a change in thinking?
There are Aboriginal people in the north. I understand there are Aboriginal people in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, but if we look at the Inuit case, given everything that I have heard during the last months, I am not sure Inuit are ready for an invasion like that. You can contradict me if you do not agree with me. This invasion is just starting, especially in terms of mining exploration and exploitation. Let's just look at mines. I am wondering how we are going to do it. I know Meadowbank well. In my riding, there is a mine called Lapa. It is just at the border with my colleague's riding and it is operated by Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited.
When Lapa mine opened, we told them there would be small problems because of the way they think in the north. So I ask myself how we will do it. It is all very well to invest millions, but if Inuit are not on board—since it is they we are talking about—why would we do that? And how can we get them on board?
I would like to hear what you have to say about that since, in my view, that is one of the main obstacles.
I am not even concerned about money; there is lots of money. When I look at the potential profits of Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited, I am not worried about money. But the workforce and training, and especially labour retention, do worry me.
I would like to hear what you have to say, Mr. Connell, and perhaps you too, Mr. Stevenson. Take your time, I am listening.