Thank you to the witnesses, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Poirier and Mr. Fay.
Regarding the WTO, of course, we hear about problems. We hear about dispute settlements, negotiation function, transparency and accountability or notifications. Canada has stepped up with many countries. They share the same worries, on probably different agendas, to be able to somehow counter and try to lobby for an improvement to the system, fixing the system and doing something about the existing problems that the WTO is going through.
China is a big player now, of course, besides the United States. It seems that the big economies are somehow trying to eat the lunch of the others in one way or another. That's appearing here and there in different fashions. Canada took the initiative with the Ottawa Group and is working on an MPIA to somehow improve the system.
My question to the three witnesses is, what other options do countries like Canada have? Do we have an option, through specific legislation, to somehow change course? That will, of course, lead to pre-negotiation on any trade agreements or on any future relationships when it comes to trade relationships.
Do we have an option to change legislation in Canada in order to be able to change the course over things that happen with the WTO?
I'm happy for any of you to start, but if I can choose, let's start with Mr. Kennedy.