Mr. Campbell, thank you for your service to Canada.
Our missions overseas serve a vital role not only in fostering a good relationship with other countries but also in fostering trade and economic activities back home.
I'll go on record that I agree with my friend Gerald Keddy that we have a fantastic brand. What we heard is that we need to sell up that brand in Japan. I don't think we're doing a good job there right now.
In Kansai, we heard from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Kansai and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They had some concerns that we were not selling our products any better, especially with the closure of the Osaka consular services.
That being said, Osaka is the second largest city, and there is some tension between Tokyo and Osaka. Osaka is an industrial hub of Japan, with a GDP, as you pointed out, that is bigger than Canada's GDP.
I'd like to quote my colleague. When we're negotiating trade agreements, it's more about.... There are obviously trade agreements, and reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers to foster economic activities.
I talked to you earlier today. What I found out is that building a relationship with the Japanese will foster further trade activity between our nations.
What sort of message are we sending to the Japanese in Osaka with the closure of the consular services? Also, I've heard from Canadian business people in Tokyo. They weren't very happy with the closure of the visa services in Tokyo, especially for students who want to come here.
Could you comment on these issues?