Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to my colleague with whom I have worked on the committee. She talked about the broad based consultation process which has taken place, in particular with respect to the free trade area of the Americas and the WTO. She also mentioned that the FTAA report is out. I would remind her that the official opposition has released a dissenting report which dwells on one of the major points, the consultation process.
The so-called civil society now has direct access to the talks, bypassing elected officials. They should be consulting elected officials. They should not have direct input into the talks.
The provinces have not really been consulted. A meeting of the ministers does not mean consultation of the provinces.
We are suggesting that there be a committee to study treaties and that parliament be allowed to have free votes on these treaties.
I would like to have her thoughts on those points.