Mr. Speaker, I think the minister will want to rethink his answer.
Marc Grossman of the U.S. Department of State sent a letter on May 20, 2002 to the Canadian embassy inviting Canada to join the U.S. in making a reference to the IJC on the then proposed Devils Lake project. Ambassador Kergin replied in writing:
In the view of the Government of Canada, it is inappropriate to refer to the IJC a proposal, such as the potential Devils Lake project--
Why did the government blow such a great opportunity to make a joint referral to the IJC?