Mr. Chairman, everything was done according to the rules. You received this notice of motion within the 48-hour timeframe. If you want me to re-read it, I can do that, given that there have been discussions in the context of the SPP with respect to water, as well as statements made by members of the Conservative Party to the effect that there would be total protection—something which I do not believe to be true. The motion reads as follows:
Whereas Canada's water resources must be protected; Whereas NAFTA covers all services and all goods, except those that are expressly excluded, and water is not included; Whereas this situation, of federal responsibility, puts the provincial laws prohibiting bulk water exports at risk; Whereas a simple agreement by exchange of letters among the governments of Canada, the United States and Mexico, stating that water is not covered under NAFTA, must be respected by international tribunals as if it were an integral part of NAFTA; It is moved that: Pursuant to section 108(2) of the Standing Orders, the Standing Committee recommends that the government quickly begin talks with its American and Mexican counterparts to exclude water from the goods governed under NAFTA, and that adoption of this motion be reported to the House at the earliest possible opportunity.
I just want to point out that the French version should read “Conformément à l'article 108(2) du Règlement de la Chambre des communes, [...]”.