Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I don't use up my time, Mr. Holder will be sharing it with me.
The fundamental criticism I hear of these trade agreements, to me basically boils down to the fact that these countries are not competent enough to protect their own environment, their own labour standards, etc. I've heard that with Colombia. While I may find it somewhat condescending, unfortunately, I have to ask this question: Is the government of Panama, are the people of Panama, competent to defend their own labour standards, to look after their own environmental standards, and their own financial standards? Effectively, can they look after their own rule of law enough, so that big evil Canadian companies won't come and take advantage of them in the mining sector or anywhere else? What is the state of civil society in Panama? Can they effectively protect their own interests?