Thank you, Mr.Chair.
Mr. Attaran, you've actually convinced me, as someone who has sat through this entirely over the last number of years, even when this was Bill C-56, to continue my efforts even more than ever before. Even looking at the face of your argument, you're actually advocating for generic rip-off drugs to get to people, as opposed to Canadian drugs. That's what would happen and would continue to happen under your scenario.
You used the word “unethical” in terms of the medical aspects of this. I find it unethical.... If you don't believe in Bill C-393, then come here with a solution that's actually going to help. I stood in the halls of Parliament when we all stood together to say that we wanted to make a difference, wanted this law to actually work.
I want to use my time with Mr. Abbott, who has actually been there. Mr. Abbott has spent his time at the WTO, has spent his time on the TRIPS, has advocated for a number of different groups and organizations.
Mr. Abbott, we've heard from the department and the lawyers here that we're going to violate pretty well every international treaty under the sun—now including NAFTA—by working on this bill, but at the same time that this bill won't even work. It's an interesting scenario, but I would like from you your testimony about why Canada won't be violating any international agreement by changing this bill, or how we can do it.