I think what it boils down to, in setting up a system, is that it should be about three things: science, science, science. At the end of the day, we all want to make sure that we're doing the right thing. That article I referenced said that suspicion should lead to investigation. Regulation has to be based on science. What's really important here is not that we have little rules that predetermine the outcome. We need to have a system that is robust and that allows experts with good knowledge to be able to make assessments on the basis of sound science. We, as industry and suppliers, can make our case. People like CELA can make their case. We can submit data; we can submit information. Then we need people to make a decision who are not influenced by industry or environmental groups, but are scientists who can make an honest decision on the basis of science. Then we all need to live with it.
Additionally, if science changes, if we get new information that says something that we thought was safe isn't, or something we thought wasn't safe is, that system should also be robust enough that you can revisit it and look at that new science.
We think the more open that process is in making it a science-based system, the better it will serve everyone's interest. These should be debates about science with adjudicators who understand science and risk assessment and can make those determinations. If that's the case, I think everyone can live with it.
Where you get into the battles on either side is when you're trying to put in little provisions here or there that tip the balance so that it isn't a science-based decision. I think that's where we lose. We've seen that in other jurisdictions from time to time, and that's where the criticisms of them are coming from. The more we can keep this to a science-based system and have these robust debates, the better it will be for Canadians and our environment.