Thank you, Mr. Chair.
And thank you to the minister for coming. It's pretty clear that the NDP policy would be to make personnel decisions on the basis of politics. I'd like to think that we would actually make those decisions on the basis of merit and in the interests of the Canadian taxpayer. Thankfully, I believe that's the case with our government.
But on more substantive issues, in your opening remarks you spoke about further advancing technologies related to mining and energy. That is of particular interest to me, being from Alberta. Energy is a pretty big part of our world out there.
I want you, if you could, to help me understand the scope of the mining and energy sectors in Atlantic Canada. Perhaps speak to the opportunities, the economic impact, and those things.