Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Welcome to the committee, Mr. Huebert. It's a pleasure to see you. First I want to thank you for sharing your work with us. Thanks as well for the two excellent articles that you presented during your presentation. I've also had the chance to tell other stakeholders that, with your work and your knowledge of the Arctic, you are also contributing to Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. I encourage you to continue what you're doing.
I was listening with some concern to my colleague opposite about the idea that we might not need traditional equipment such as destroyers, submarines and ships to ensure our sovereignty in the High North. You said in English that we needed to have capability backed by policy. In French, I would say, literally, “to have the means to achieve our ambitions”. In that sense, I think you clearly indicated that the “Canada First” defence strategy is a step in the right direction, to the extent that we can build and deliver ships across the country.
You talked about China. We often consider the circumpolar countries. However, I believe you also alerted us to the possibility that other countries—I wouldn't say those countries have no business there—might find an interest there. I believe our country is going to take that into account, particularly with regard to China.
My question concerns the United States and the Northwest Passage. The Americans published a new document in January in which they again emphasized that the Northwest Passage is an international waterway. That obviously runs counter to our national sovereignty claims. Could you tell me about that document? Also, how can we continue to assert ourselves while respecting the “Canada First” strategy and the negotiations?