I understand Mr. Jean's comments, but I think that's taking it from the lawyer's perspective, and although we're lawyers, we're not here to be lawyers. We're here to represent constituents and to deal with what's best for Canadians who might need that $500 in gas. Rather than being concerned about the foreign ship, I'm more concerned to make sure that this new right can actually be used to help Canadians. I don't think it's satisfactory to simply say it's a small amount of money and it's a foreign ship, so let them go. What if they don't come back, and what if you cannot find a lawyer?
In theory you're going to require people to spend a few thousand dollars. How do you address the point that if you find a lawyer and you have to wait for five hours in court, the lawyer is not going to sit there for five hours and not be paid by an hourly rate? I've practised litigation for almost 20 years, and there's no way that happens.
On a very practical basis, you're either going to make this a really nonsensical right, because it's not going to work in most cases, or you're going to require people to spend lots of money on lawyers.
Also, it wasn't the law society that said that; it was the Canadian Bar Association, which represents lawyers and advocates for lawyers. As a lawyer, I understand why they would say it, but as a member of Parliament representing Canadians and constituents, I do not understand it.