Mr. Speaker, I will make a statement first and then ask the hon. member from the Bloc to comment.
Under NAFTA, Canada has paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in legal fees and compensation to U.S. investors who felt aggrieved by Canadian decisions. Let us say that after the Canada-Panama trade deal is ratified, Panama continues to be problematic on the tax shelter front and Parliament puts in place legislation to give Panama a deadline to clean up its act or face sanctions. Canadians banks could be restricted from transferring their money to Panamanian affiliates, for example. Article 9.10 of the Canada-Panama trade act says:
Each Party shall permit transfers relating to a covered investment to be made freely and without delay, into and out of its territory.
Moreover, article 10.6 says that Canada will always allow Canadians to purchase financial services from banks operating in Panama.
Does the hon. member from the Bloc share my concerns in this regard?