Yes, I did want to mention something that might reference what the response might be.
First of all, I thank Mr. Oliphant and Mr. Bergeron for their interventions shedding light on their thoughts on this.
I didn't by any means mean to leave out Mr. Bergeron as a signatory to the letter. I did point out that five members of the committee had signed the letter that I was invited to sign also. The meeting was called in response to a request by four members, but I note of course that five members have signed the letter. I was invited to do so on very short notice and declined to do n in that for the reasons I think I've discussed earlier, and I'm happy we're having an opportunity here today to fully discuss the concerns I had before making a decision. There wasn't time to do that beforehand.
I commend Mr. Bergeron for his recognition of the Milliken case as being—I don't know if I said the first case—certainly the leading case on the matter until then. It was the most detailed and fulsome investigation of the whole notion of the relationship between the executive and the Parliament in the systems we share, including the National Assembly of Quebec. I'm gratified to see that the National Assembly of Quebec itself has rulings that have acknowledged this decision as being an important leading case on which to base its decisions.
We do have to come to grips with the national interest in this committee, either today after the motion is passed, and we meet with the law clerk. I'm wondering out loud whether it might be helpful in response to Mr. Dufresne's comments to have perhaps a little more delimitation from Mr. Genuis.
I know that your motion calls for all papers, documents, all information, etc. Is there any possibility of being a little more specific about what we need information on? What is important that Mr. Dufresne might be able to respond to? These questions, these generalities such as national security, are so general in many cases as to defy an opportunity for someone, in the absence of specifics, to even make a determination on them. I wonder if there's any point—and perhaps Mr. Dufresne might comment on this when he responds—in being any more specific than the motion is right now. Could we at least advise what particular information and knowledge we want to obtain from this investigation?
This has obviously been initiated by the efforts and the questions of Mr. Genuis, and I have an idea, but I would perhaps be better informed if I heard from him what is necessary for us to know to answer his concerns and questions.
I put that out there for consideration. Perhaps Mr. Dufresne can go ahead without knowing that, or we can continue the discussion.