Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My question is for Mr. Seppey.
During the portion of your presentation on bilateral and technical co-operation with regulatory authorities, you said that the goal of the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council was to facilitate closer regulatory co-operation between the two countries and enhance economic competitiveness by aligning our regulatory systems where appropriate.
Does the phrase “where appropriate” suggest something negative? How is Canadian co-operation with the Americans perceived? Do the Americans see us as very co-operative? Conversely, do we see the Americans as being very co-operative towards us?
Our relations with the Americans haven't always been positive. On the issue of meat traceability, for example, we had to bring a challenge before the WTO. Do we have to watch out for the Americans? Can we rely on them? Can we look at them as dependable partners, or should their attitude really concern us?