Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Your Excellency, for your appearance here today, along with your distinguished assistants, and giving our committee an opportunity to learn more about this very exciting Pacific Alliance.
We know that Canada will always have our biggest trading partner, the United States, but through our global commerce strategy, we're trying to expand our market share. We've had an agreement with Peru in 2009, including an environmental agreement and one looking at labour issues.
From our perspective, my personal perspective, I always look for a balance between the economy and the environment, and I think it's very important that they work together. They're not mutually exclusive, but inclusive, and can work together in harmony for a strong sustainable society.
I commend you and your partners for bringing this Pacific Alliance forward.
My first question is, would it be beneficial to Peru if Canada were to join the Pacific Alliance?