We have just heard a list of priorities again. We all have them, I have some too. We have enough for a year or more, given all the topics. I am afraid that we might spend all the time on one or two of the topics and then have no time to study some urgent matters affecting agriculture. I would just like to remind members of the committee that I arranged for the program review to be discussed. That greatly affects agricultural producers everywhere, in all areas, in all sectors. We had two half-sessions. We never heard from officials, we never heard from the minister. This is an urgent situation, a priority that should be a unanimous one around this table, it seems to me.
We also really have to finish studying Alex's bill. I should say that our party is in favour of the bill. I actually think that we are the only party in favour of it. Having a number of witnesses come when positions are so firm…Everyone has given speeches…I fully understand that the Conservatives are totally opposed to the bill. They can call 50 witnesses if they like, but I am afraid that it would be just to waste time, and I do not want time wasted in this committee.
I say again that I support the bill. I say again that we must hear from the witnesses we have not heard from yet. I understand that my colleague Mr. Atamanenko will also want to convince other colleagues in the House to change their minds about the bill and vote for it. I am not opposed to that, but we must be careful that it does not take up all the time the committee has available.
Some of the motions that Wayne has tabled are extremely important and also deal with urgent matters. So we have to consider them as well as finishing the report on the future of farming. Like Brian, I do not think we need a great number of sessions on that: we seem to be off to a pretty good start on that report.
I agree with you, Larry. We should immediately get a steering committee together so that we can at least map out a draft agenda and present it to the full committee.