Mr. Chair, this clause 4 was raised by a number of witnesses who expressed a lot of concern that the minister wouldn't necessarily be exempt from liability for lost product sales or other injury to a manufacturer or seller due to decisions that she's exercised under this bill. So we think it's very important that it be explicitly clear that the minister should be free from the threat of liability when making these very important decisions under this bill for the safety of Canadians.
So we've moved an amendment 5.1, that the act be amended by adding the following after section 29.2:
NO LIABILITY
It would continue:
29.3 Despite any other Act of Parliament, no civil or criminal proceedings lie against the Minister or any person acting on behalf of, or under the direction of, the Minister for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise or performance of any powers, duties or functions that under this Act are intended or authorized to be exercised or performed.
So again, this was suggested by a whole number of witnesses and was to ensure that the minister does have an exemption from liability.