Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for appearing today.
As you may or may not be aware, DFAIT originally turned down this committee's request to have you appear, which is why the committee was required to use its power of summons.
As the chair pointed out, this committee began a study last fall on ministerial interference in the language being used at DFAIT. The changes requested by the minister's office included the dropping of the word “humanitarian” from the phrase “international humanitarian law”, and the removal or changing of references to gender-base violence, child soldiers, human rights. Those are just a few of the examples.
This issue was first brought to light in an article in Embassy magazine that was based on information they received in an e-mail that was drafted by Mr. Weetman, which the rest of you received.
With that, my first question is for you, Mr. Weetman. You in fact did craft the e-mail of May 7?