Mr. Chair, from the beginning the Minister of Foreign Affairs has been trying to keep things calm. He seems to be saying we will wait and see, we will look at what they propose and then we will decide. However, his colleague from National Defence is much more aggressive in his approach.
I would like to know what the Minister of Foreign Affairs thinks about this because the Minister of National Defence is saying we have to amend the Norad agreement. I imagine he cannot amend this agreement without going through the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Does the latter agree with amending the Norad agreement to take into account Norad's contribution to the missile defence mission? In other words, add to its current mission, which consists only in surveillance, something much more specific such as missile defence. That is what the Minister of National Defence wants.
He also says we intend to negotiate a framework memorandum of understanding with the United States. This is much more specific than the minister, who says we are only going there to hear what they have to say.
The Minister of National Defence is looking at the feasibility of defining the possibilities and mechanisms for such consultations with respect to Canada's contributions.
Contributions also mean money. I would like to remind him that the Minister of National Defence just awarded interim contracts to the tune of $700,000. I did not say $700 million yesterday. I said $700,000.
This is a slippery slope. We have started getting involved with the United States, but the decision has already been made. I would like the minister to respond to my concerns and perhaps deny what I just said.