One of the risks we have is that we hear from the minister first; we hear from the CFIA first; then we hear from those who it really impacts later. We're not given the opportunity to ask the minister and the CFIA to clarify the issues that you bring before us. That is regrettable, particularly when we have limited our time in reviewing the bill.
Mr. Chair, I think if you seek it, I'm hoping you'll find consent that we add a couple of days at least to this review of the bill. We all agree with the value of the bill and the need for reform, but I'm concerned that a number of amendments and suggested amendments have come forward.
We only have until tomorrow to prepare, submit for translation, and get the amendments to you, and we're hearing witnesses on the eve of the day that those amendments have to be submitted, which is logistically impossible. Because this is important legislation, we're all trying to be participatory in this and make it good. I don't think we can assume that the comments these witnesses have made are irrelevant. They are quite relevant. If we're going to give them the weight they deserve, I think we should give ourselves a few extra days, bring those from the minister's office before the committee and ask them for that clarification. By necessity we'd need an extension for the date in which to submit amendments as well, Mr. Chair.