Mr. Chair, I think the department was invited, and maybe the clerk has the stated reasons that they didn't appear.
But just on the steering committee itself, I don't know why the chair always calls the steering committee for regular committee meetings. Other committees don't all work that way. It should be called at a separate time so that we do not take regular meeting time for the steering committee to meet.
As well, I don't know others' feelings on this, but I have been looking at other committees and I've heard the chair say that he wouldn't vote if there was another Conservative member present to carry the government half. If we want to re-look at that sometime, I don't mind re-looking at it, if that would make things run more smoothly. But I don't think today's the day for that discussion.
I certainly believe the steering committee should meet at times other than regular committee business.