Mr. Chair, I'm wondering if this is really the issue here. Does Mr. Hawn want the parliamentary secretary to the minister to sit on the committee? If that's the case, then I'm against the idea, just as I opposed it on the Defence Committee.
If we agree to have a member of the Conservative Party in addition to our chair, then we run the risk of having the parliamentary secretary seated at the table, and I was against that idea on the Defence Committee. I would also remind Mr. Hawn and the Conservative party that when they were in opposition, they systematically objected to the presence of parliamentary secretaries. I simply want the Conservatives to be consistent in their thinking and actions. Would Mr. Hawn be the person selected?
Colleagues also need to understand that this is a steering committee. Ordinarily, members of this committee try to get along. Rest assured that as a group, you will have to adopt the report from the steering committee. However, it can be amended after the fact. I don't have a problem with the current makeup of the subcommittee, namely one representative per party, plus Mr. Casson, who represents the Conservative Party.
I'd like Mr. Hawn to answer my question.