I just thought it was important, because Mr. Warkentin is new. I certainly didn't run in an election to talk about Telefilm, or culture and arts; I ran to represent people in my riding. But when I came here I was given a portfolio. As a legislator I have a national obligation to deal with issues that are much beyond those of my riding. I'm dealing with people back home with mine injuries who are looking for compensation, and they don't understand that I'm here talking about the CRTC. But that is my role. My role is to make sure we represent national policy around this table. So at times we are called to go, to understand.
Now, it's not mandatory to go. I know some MPs who never go on international trips, and that's fine. But if we are going, it's because it's the best opportunity for us to understand an issue and come back. At the end of the day, it's probably cheaper than trying to track all those people from all across Canada.
You mentioned the need for a memorial for the Mounties. It's also important to remember that the role of this committee is not necessarily to be advocating for individual projects in our ridings. I'd love to, and I take up those individual projects with the minister whenever I can. Our job is to try to work as collaboratively as we can. It's a good committee for that, in terms of collaboration on national issues and national problems we're dealing with in culture and arts.
When people back home see me doing that work, they start to understand and they say, “Obviously you are there as a legislator, and that's your role.”