Yes, of course.
I am going to repeat what I said. Already, 97 per cent of the markets are open. We are told that this agreement will give us an opportunity to access markets, but this is false. In reality, a system of rules is being put forward that favours the commercial, transnational actors, the big multinationals. Some are Canadian; many are American. They are being given rights and privileges that are absolutely unacceptable. They are being given direct access to an extranational tribunal that would be outside our own legal system, to bring action against a state when that state adopts a public policy that limits their opportunity to make profits.
At present, there are more than 700 actions. Canada is the subject of the largest number, at 39. This affects a range of issues, including minimum wage, the environment, health care measures and judicial decisions. Transnational corporations are thus being given extreme tools and powers.
Individuals, and even our own domestic corporations, do not have access to these tools to bring action against another state. We have been familiar with this system since NAFTA came into existence, and we really have to put an end to it. In my opinion, this is a lost opportunity, in terms of the negotiation and the possibility of removing this investor-state mechanism from the free trade agreements. The TPP reproduces, extends and expands this mechanism, which gives extreme power to the multinationals. It is absolutely unacceptable.