Thank you, Chair.
I'm being hopeful and optimistic that my friends across the way will be loving with this amendment.
I know it's similar to my previous amendment, but I think this addresses the cost that may be borne by small businesses for the wrongful or mistaken detention of goods. As it's currently written, Bill C-8 contains a no-liability provision for the crown and provides for the damages against rights-holders in cases where court proceedings are dismissed or discontinued.
In attempting to strike a balance between consumer and industry interests, I think Bill C-8 places the cost of detaining suspect goods on the rights-holders. However, as we heard during the testimony of Dr. Geist, C-8 is clearly lacking a misuse provision to ensure that actors are not engaging in frivolous claims as a means of acting anti-competitively.
I could speak to it further but I'd like to hear from the officials.
Thank you.