I have a point of order. Mr. Chair, before this gets out of hand, I think it's important for the members to know that the minister is eager to attend this committee. He is simply unavailable in the short term to make the visit happen. I am sure the former ministers on this committee can understand the heavy workload that the Minister of Defence has to experience. So before we take this too far and revert to using some heavy-handed measures to get him here, perhaps my honourable colleagues would cut some slack for the minister and give him an opportunity to adjust his schedule as quickly as possible.
On September 20th, 2006. See this statement in context.