Foreign Affairs committee  That's correct.

Foreign Affairs committee  Our mandate is to help the developing countries themselves deal with these types of problems. Our mandate, and this goes both ways.... Creating sound institutions, agencies, competencies in developing countries not only creates the type of enabling environment that will better at

Foreign Affairs committee  That's absolutely right. As you're probably aware, the Minister of International Cooperation announced in May five thematic priorities for the international assistance envelope, three of which are specifically dedicated to international development assistance under CIDA. One of

Foreign Affairs committee  Those consultations were requested by the Minister of International Cooperation.

Foreign Affairs committee  It was to engage in dialogue with companies and non-governmental organizations, respectively, and see how CIDA could implement its part of the Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy. In my testimony, I explained how CIDA could help developing countries create agencies, institut

Foreign Affairs committee  No, not to my knowledge.

Foreign Affairs committee  No, I did not say that. I said very clearly that the bill does not have a direct bearing on the activities of CIDA. My understanding is that the bill does not apply in any way to the activities that CIDA is currently undertaking within the CSR strategy.

Foreign Affairs committee  The use of the word “curse” is actually in quotation marks. It's meant to refer to a specific debate within the development community as to the potential problems with resource extraction. My colleague Bill Singleton can speak more appropriately to the exact source and components

Foreign Affairs committee  You're right in what you say. CIDA's role is not to handle complaints against Canadian companies. That is clear.

Foreign Affairs committee  However, CIDA's role is really to work within the framework of development plans in developing countries. Right now we are in Sudan. We are working with the country to determine exactly where CIDA can help. We are not active in the natural resources management sector in every cou

Foreign Affairs committee  Yes.

Foreign Affairs committee  Yes, they were primarily involved in the report.

Foreign Affairs committee  Yes.

Foreign Affairs committee  To return to your point, actually, and as I mentioned in my point, I agree with you that the contents of this bill will not affect CIDA's activities on the ground--

Foreign Affairs committee  Personally I don't have a firm opinion. We haven't formed a firm opinion on the bill itself because it actually is under the purview of other departments. In terms of its bearing upon CIDA, our activities would continue in these countries in the way they previously have.