Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the member for his motion. We have it in both official languages. Obviously, it's customary to share the motion ahead of time with the members of each party when possible and to make sure the interpreters have a copy.
This is a very complex bill we're going to study. It's 250 pages plus, it affects a number of departments, and it makes changes that are going to have a profound impact on society. It is in everyone's interest and in the interest of democracy that we make sure every group, every organization affected by the bill has enough time to review it, analyze it and reach out to the committee. That's why I find the motion very helpful.
However, as far as the last few paragraphs of the motion are concerned, I think the deadlines in paragraphs (e), (f) and (h) are too soon. We're already into October, and this is just our first meeting.
I propose amending the deadlines for submitting amendments, submitting briefs and beginning clause-by-clause consideration. I propose postponing each of those three deadlines by a week. Therefore, I propose that the motion be amended by replacing the words “Thursday, October 29” with the words “Thursday, November 5”, replacing the words “November 2” with the words “November 9”, and replacing the words “Thursday, October 22” with the words “Thursday, October 29”.
I was on the finance committee for a good few years. Whenever we had a very lengthy and complex budget implementation bill and we rushed through it too quickly, as happened during the pandemic, civic society found out about the problems when it was too late. Issues arose because the study had already been done.
I really want to make sure that those affected by the bill have another week to go through what's in it and reach out to the committee, if necessary, so they can make the bill better. That is why I propose postponing each of those three deadlines by a week.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.