For this negotiation, our group and other groups have been in regular contact with the team at Global Affairs as well as in the minister's office. There were two stages of the negotiation at one point, dating back to about 2018—I don't want to misquote the year; perhaps it was 2019—when there would have been some of the initial negotiations, and then throughout the summer and fall, engaging with the negotiators.
We had a lot of discussions about the approach that Canada was taking in the negotiation. We understood it was meant to be a transitional approach to the negotiation. The priority was in maintaining and continuing the relationship as is and not so much about reimagining the relationship.
We fully understand in the documents that have been provided and in the standard process that I think the department follows that there's a lot of room for consultation. I've noticed there are many opportunities with the negotiators to interact and to share their thoughts, both in writing and verbally.