Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I appreciate my colleague's perspective. When I read it, I thought his proposed amendments, rather than providing for greater certainty, actually created more ambiguity and confusion in interpreting this act and agreement, given the absence of such a rule of interpretation in Canada's previous implementation acts. I'm not clear why the language in the federal statute would refer to legislative powers of provincial, municipal, or first nations governments.
This agreement, like other free trade agreements Canada has entered into, includes reservations and exceptions where additional policy flexibility is required to address sensitive areas such as health, safety, the environment, and the provision of preferences to aboriginal people.
In conclusion, Mr. Chair, I think this is unnecessary because Canada's free trade agreements are negotiated and drafted to ensure that governments retain their right to regulate in the public interest. I think that's so important as long as the measures are applied in a non-discriminatory and non-arbitrary manner.