On the flexibility on trade negotiations, Canada did sign on to the 2004 framework agreement, and the rigidities in its current negotiating position really remove it, pull it back, from that commitment that it made in 2004. I think, as Dennis suggests, it hampers our negotiating ability in arguing for the trade liberalization we've been looking for in other sectors. I think Canada has to be able to firmly plant itself on the negotiating commitments that it has made to this point. The negotiations have to move forward, not backward.
On April 2nd, 2009. See this statement in context.