Mr. Chairman, I would like to underscore what Mr. Martin has said in terms of the absolute requirement for us to expedite consideration of what is a major piece of legislation. I hope it isn't taken or inferred that because we aren't willing to meet in the summer, we are any less committed to that noble objective. That should be self-evident.
I would like to stress that there's a difference between being a member from Ottawa--with great respect--and being a member from British Columbia or the Yukon. We may have opportunities that would avoid having to meet during the summer and from an equity perspective be in the interests of the members.
I would suggest that the committee give consideration to meeting extra time. That was earlier presented as an alternative--that as we look at our work schedule over the next two months, the committee from time to time determine whether it wants to bring forward additional witnesses in order to expedite the consideration of the agenda in dealing with this bill. It would still achieve the objective Mr. Martin has so capably outlined, but it would at the same time avoid the necessity...for obvious reasons of family and so on, and it would protect the opportunity for members to get back to their families and their constituencies.