My understanding of the parliamentary process is that the committee stage provides the opportunity to make that legislation better. I think this legislation has room for improvement, particularly in terms of its application, and in particular in terms of the transition, when we still have a combination of appointed and elected senators. How do you work out what to do with Ontario? Is it better to think of it as being three or four senatorial districts rather than one? To me, having one big one with 24 is problematic.
I would not in any way want to suggest that this bill is perfect. Speaking as an individual Canadian, I would be delighted if the work of this committee resulted in a better piece of legislation. I would be bitterly disappointed if the outcome were that the committee simply throw up its hands and say they're not going to go there because it's too tough. I don't think it is too tough.
But I don't think this bill as it stands answers all the questions that are quite legitimate for you to pose.