We have streamlined the dispute settlement process to make it more transparent, robust, and efficient. Essentially how it works is that any Canadian—an organization, a citizen—can present a complaint to us. For example, in the case of a violation by Jordan, an alleged violation, we start consultations if we have to decide if it's valid—if we accept it for review. We start consultations. These consultations can lead to ministerial consultations.
Of course, the emphasis is on trying to find a solution through cooperative means. Normally if you have goodwill, as we see right now with the Jordanian government, we would expect to find a cooperative solution. However, if there's no agreement following ministerial consultation, we can then call upon an independent panel of experts. It's a little like what you would find in a dispute settlement of a trade agreement; it mimics a little bit what has been done on that side.
This panel of experts would go out, investigate, and then again propose solutions, deciding if there's a violation or not. If this is trade-related, that's an important criteria at that stage. If there is a violation, the party is then encouraged to agree to a plan of action, but if there's no agreement in the end, there would be an obligation on the part of the Jordanian government, let's say, if it's a complaint against Jordan, to deposit into a cooperation fund the funds that are at a level identified by the review panel. That money would be used to do projects to resolve the matter at hand. Until the compliance issue is resolved, the country has to keep depositing every year.
It's a strong incentive for cooperation. It's a problem-solving mechanism whereby you can use those funds to actually do something about the issue. We believe it would be very effective.