Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being back at committee and answering our questions on an issue that I think has, frankly, horrified a lot of members of the committee. I've been hearing from the community their sense of frustration, fear and anxiety that an area where their kids play, swim and collect plants has been contaminated for a long time, and they weren't aware.
I understand that shortly after taking on this new mandate, when you became aware of this issue, you participated in a phone call with indigenous groups in the area, and during that phone call, you apologized for your department's actions. I'd like to give you a chance to apologize publicly here today.