Madam Speaker, we need to focus on treaties that have a slightly broader scope. Why have all the other countries, like the European countries and the United States, decided to have a more democratic treaty-making process? I suppose it is because they believe in the role of elected officials when it comes to international treaties.
We have seen some major blunders in the past. I was first elected to the House in 2019, when Canada had just renegotiated CUSMA. One sector that was left out was aluminum. Aluminum was the only sector that was not protected under CUSMA, even though steel was.
A Canadian negotiator candidly told us that this situation had come about because the problem was not addressed at the negotiating table. If the government was in the habit of consulting elected officials who are aware of the realities and the needs on the ground, this type of problem might not happen.