International Trade committee  Of course. You should know that. You are all parliamentarians, after all. Bill C‑282 carries weight. It would prevent Canadian negotiators from being able to make concessions. The bill very formally sets out a commitment restricting the prerogative of the government and the mini

International Trade committee  That's a good question. They aren't necessarily related. They haven't been in the past. They seem like they're related, or people want to link them, as other industries do—which we've heard today—because other countries are looking for concessions in that area in terms of their

International Trade committee  I would add this. During the pandemic, we saw what happens when you rely on exports. We realized that we needed greater sovereignty over food and medical supplies. Thanks to the supply management system we currently have, we don't have to depend on exports. If that system comes

International Trade committee  No, I don't share that concern, because the supply management system, as it was pointed out, has existed since 1971. Has that really prevented Canada from being part of agreements that have benefited all industries? I think it's a little odd we now find it okay to say that this s

International Trade committee  No. There are no rules preventing Canada, which created this system, to preserve it, which is still possible. On the contrary, there are rules that allow it. We should continue to rely on those rules to protect this system, whether at the WTO or in plurilateral or multilateral ne

International Trade committee  No. In fact, I think that Parliament, and you, parliamentarians, should demand more power in your dealings with the government when it comes to negotiations, to transparency in negotiations. Before agreements are signed, before they are ratified, Parliament should approve them

International Trade committee  I will therefore conclude my remarks, Mr. Chair. I would remind you that the Quebec National Assembly can approve treaties relating to international trade. I thank you for your attention and I am prepared to answer your questions.

International Trade committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Greetings to your fellow parliamentarians and to the clerk of the Standing Committee on International Trade. I would like to express my pleasure at being back in the House of Commons, virtually. Like you, I have had the privilege of sitting in the House of

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to acknowledge the members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. I served on this committee for a number of years, along with Bill Graham and Irwin Cotler. In those days, we had some very good debates. I remember

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Anyone who claims that it is abusive logically also thinks that it was not necessary. I respect my colleagues' points of view, but I believe that it was both abusive and unnecessary. I would be curious to find out the public opinion in Canada and whether people found prorogatio

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, I must admit I'm not aware. I am aware that some work has been done and the committees could have, to some extent, looked into the WE Charity issue. Let me just read something to all of you. I'll read it in English because it's in English. It's the decision of the House, of

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think it's so important that all of you listen to this. It's paragraph 55. This is the judges who are speaking. They say, “Let us remind ourselves of the foundations of our constitution. We live in a representative democracy. The House of Commons exists because the people have

Procedure and House Affairs committee  —“(unlike the position in some other democracies).” I hope you can all read that case. I make the case that you read all that—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's very interesting, because this is a binding decision, not a reference or an opinion of the Supreme Court. In fact, the appeal to the Supreme Court was initiated by one woman, whom even the Attorney General of Scotland supported. The U.K. Minister of Justice immediately r

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's not as clear-cut as that. The answer is difficult. It may possibly be done by section 44, but there are other views on this issue.