Such a mechanism in a trade agreement makes no sense to us.
Countries like Canada, the United States or Japan are developed countries that have very mature legal systems. In that case, why have a mechanism that does not take legal systems into account? This makes no sense to us at all. In fact, we ask quite simply that this mechanism be removed from trade agreements.
One thing is remarkable. Although the environment has been a topic of discussion—our government went to Paris to sign an agreement—we are granting major rights to enterprises that will allow them to sue governments. If we consider our place in the world, and all of the environmental issues, we cannot grant all of these rights to multinationals through trade agreements.
Certain sectors should be protected in these agreements, moreover. I am thinking of Quebec, and culture. We are negotiating on issues regarding which we do not even have a national position yet. I am referring, for instance, to the telecommunications or electronic trade sectors. We are negotiating in these sectors, while in reality the debates have not yet been held on issues that will affect more than democracy, at both the federal and provincial levels. Take for example the media sector or that of culture. These are particularly important to Quebec. We think that these areas should not have been included in the TPP.
For all of these reasons, we think that Canada must not ratify this agreement.