Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to note the member's comments about where the dispute would be settled. The crux of our concern is that this will take away the decision making from what it used to be or exists now, a dispute resolution within the confines of our own borders, and transfer it to the World Bank. Some would say that is fine and I would concur if there was some measure of transparency that we would all agree with. Earlier in his comments with one of his colleagues, he assured us that was the case, that as of April 2006 there is absolute transparency. But that is not the case. I quoted from the blues in committee where it was brought forward in witness evidence that it is not the case that it would have absolute transparency. It is contingent. The problem with this process is that there are so many contingencies. It is contingent when a tribunal is put together.
What happens if someone wants to appeal? We learn in this agreement that the appeal process is not something we would expect in Canada in terms of being able to appeal a decision of a court. He intimated in his comments that the decisions are final, that everyone has to abide by the decisions and that is it.
When we talk about the transfer of decision making, a lack of accountability, as I have already mentioned, or these contingencies and we underline the fact that there are countries presently that are not signatories to this, the question is what is the benefit for everyday Canadians. What would Canadians really get from this deal? The answer is not a lot, and what they get is a lot of questions.
In light of the fact that we are handing over decision making to a third party, in this case the World Bank, in light of the fact that all decisions are not fully transparent and in light of the fact that we are depending on a tribunal in Washington without the ability to make decisions in Canada, how can the member support this bill?