Good morning, gentlemen, and welcome to our committee.
Someone said earlier, regarding your main concern, that a simple notice of intent created some commotion when complaints are filed. That can in fact be the case. Although I don't like this possibility, this can be an opportunity to review and analyze chapter 11. In that way I am quite happy. Of course, there are environmental and scientific aspects to this, but I am convinced that an in-depth study of chapter 11 is essential because the trend is for new free trade agreements to include increasingly fewer such provisions. Of course, investment agreements are sometimes separate, but the same provisions are not included. There was the question of the expropriation principle, which is quite broad, but we're not necessarily defining public interest, or at least not specifically. So there could be a huge problem between the two.
With regard to pesticide 2,4-D, the ban applies in Ontario and Quebec, but other provinces are still using this product. However, for the United States, the fact that it is allowed in some areas and banned in others confirms that they are entitled to file suits or complaints. Under NAFTA, a free trade agreement between two countries, it's easy for them to step in and file suit if standards vary from one province to another.