Actually, Mr. Easter raises a good point. That is actually coming to the heart of what I want to talk about, the witnesses who are here today. It is important. We want to have hearings. We want everyone to be heard.
A number of times through the fall, Mr. Easter insisted that we have extra hearings on this issue. We all put forward our witness lists, and we've been able to bring our witnesses in. Each side has submitted its witness lists. Both sides have been heard. I think it is important to hear both of them.
Unfortunately, the frustration is that I don't think we are going to be able to do that today. Mr. Easter said we need to hear everyone and every perspective and that we need openness and free discussion. But I don't think the opposition is actually ready to do that.
This meeting was set up, and it had an agreed-to witness list. We had a full witness list. That meeting on Tuesday was cancelled because of legal questions, I understand. When it was reconstituted, we were told there was a change to the witness list. Someone was excluded by the steering committee, without the participation or permission of any of the other members.
I have been here six years. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this, Mr. Chair. I think it's important we deal with it today.
Jim Chatenay was the witness. He is here today. He has been good enough to stay. He is a veteran of the board of directors, and he has been a strong a voice for farmers. He has come to committee, and he has been here throughout this week.