Thank you, Madam Chair.
I welcome all the witnesses and thank them for giving us their time today.
I also acknowledge my colleagues.
My first question is for Mr. MacArthur, Canada’s ambassador to the Philippines.
As part of this study, we heard witnesses from the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines. They expressed their concerns about the human rights situation there, particularly regarding abuses committed by mining companies. We know that 15% of mining in the Philippines is of Canadian origin and that six companies operate in the country.
How can we ensure that Canadian companies are not complicit in human rights abuses in the context of expanding trade with this region?