I will be sharing my time with Mr. Cardin.
I have a question for Mr. Hart. You teach trade policy. As you said, Canada is currently making a huge effort to try and satisfy the United States by beefing up security at the borders in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks. We are complying with those requirements, and we are currently negotiating with the United States to find ways of improving security at our borders, and so on.
However, how far are we prepared to go to improve security? That is what concerns me. Even if we do improve security at our borders through every possible means, people will still be able to cross those borders after carrying out a terrorist act in the United States. The economic consequences of this are also of concern to me. Everything is still possible. I suppose this would also affect exports. Have you thought about that?
I must say that I am concerned to hear you say that Canada has not always been a good partner of the United States because, in my opinion, the new government has more of a tendency to support the Americans' military approach, by investing more in the military. As for our environmental policy, some corporate executives are trying to align themselves with the Americans so as to avoid having to abide by the Kyoto Protocol and be able to continue developing the tar sands.
In addition, during the softwood lumber crisis, we proved ourselves to be a relatively good partner by handing over $1 billion paid by our own industry, as a means of supporting the softwood lumber agreement.
I would be interested in hearing your views on these different points.