Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to both witnesses for a fairly eye-opening presentation.
Did either of the witnesses hear of Canada's interests in the Pacific Alliance—what this hearing is based on—prior to the last month or so? It wasn't in the budget. It wasn't in the throne speech.
I'm a member of this committee, and I'm wondering what in heck we're holding this hearing for; I really am. I'm wondering if it's busywork to keep us busy instead of looking at some issues on trade that we should be looking at seriously. I say that quite openly because I do see this as busywork for this committee, when there are all kinds of serious trade issues that Canada is falling behind on that we're not dealing with.
To be quite honest with you, and Don asked some of these questions in the beginning, the Department of International Trade really didn't have any answers for us either, in terms of what's to be gained in a Pacific Alliance.
I'm asking both of you, who have considerable experience in South America and Latin America, what do you see as the benefits for Canadians on the ground and for Canadian business of this Pacific Alliance concept? I'm trying to figure out what they are.