Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the hon. member and the House that strengthening links with the volunteer sector is a major component of the implementation of our government's priorities.
Tomorrow and Wednesday, I intend to meet, right here in the national capital region, with some 300 officials representing non-governmental organizations, professional associations and other groups, at their annual meeting with the Canadian International Development Agency.
I take this opportunity to congratulate all NGOs working directly or indirectly with CIDA, in Africa and in other parts of the world. I should point out that current events in Zaire and elsewhere confirm the importance of co-operating with such organizations.