Thank you, Ms. Gallant.
I know you are both an extremely active supporter of our Canadian Forces and a close follower of all things NATO.
I personally feel very strongly about Canada's membership and participation in NATO. We are a country that contributes mightily, both financially and more importantly in action, and that has been our history since we have been members of this organization, this alliance, when it first stood up some 60 years ago. That being said, NATO, like all organizations, military and otherwise, has to modernize. It has to adapt to the very rapid and sometimes volatile circumstances that are there. That involves investing in new equipment. That involves modernizing the structure itself and its finances, and making informed decisions.
You're right to point out that the meeting in Chicago this summer is going to be a critical one for NATO. It will be critical because decisions will have to be made and discussions will have to be had about the future of the NATO mission post-2014 in Afghanistan. Canada's role there has changed significantly, from one of combat to one of training. We will be active participants in that discussion and in those decisions.
We also know, to say the least, that there are a number of other countries and other conflicts brewing in parts of the world, including Kosovo and other places where Canada has been an active participant in the past. The importance of NATO is its flexibility, its ability to respond. There have been important discussions, which you would be aware of, on issues such as burden sharing, that is, ensuring that participant nations are carrying their fair share of the load. Canada has been at the forefront in encouraging nations in conflicts like Afghanistan to be forthright about what they're able to bring to the fight.
NATO itself in my view, even with its failings, and even with its fallbacks, remains the pre-eminent defence organization on the planet. I'm very proud of what Canada has been able to accomplish through this organization, and of the leadership role we have played. I'm proud of the participation both of personnel who have sat in various positions at NATO, and more importantly, of the men and women who wear the uniform and wear the flag of the Canadian Forces on one shoulder, but who also represent NATO as an organization that fights for peace and global security—one that has played a very active role in places like Afghanistan throughout its history.