I would like to report that I've had a discussion with the minister, and she is of the same mind now as the minister as she was when she was the critic. There is no change in her position. She did make a suggestion that I would like to propose as an amendment. I think it will, if anything, enhance or upgrade Mr. Kotto's recommendation.
Looking at the phrase “and that the membership reflect that of this committee” as being somewhat of a micromanagement of the establishment of the committee, I can report to you, as I did the other day, that she has approximately, as I understand it, five options at her disposal that she's considering. Considering that, she wants to make it as transparent and thorough a review as possible, but at the same time, she wants to try to make sure there isn't any unnecessary delay. I know she would like to be doing it pretty well on a full-time basis. The phrase “the membership reflect that of this committee”, which is somewhat micromanaging, really isn't of any great value.
She suggested dropping that and adding in.... I'm sorry, I just have one copy, but let me read this, please: “...and that the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage be offered the opportunity to review and comment on the draft report prior to the consideration of the Minister”, which I think is what people on this committee want.
Having been through the creation of this great red brick--and I know Mr. Scarpaleggia will concur.... I think it was at least a year and a half, and we went around and around, and we then ended up going through quite a drafting and so on and so forth. The involvement I think this committee wants, and which I'm sure all members of the Conservative Party want, is to be afforded a real opportunity to review and comment on the draft that would be in public prior to her actual consideration of the report.
It's offered in the spirit of upgrading this and in the spirit that this is a continuation of where she was coming from as the critic, making sure there is an open, transparent, and thorough review of the mandate of the CBC. She will be making detailed announcements before the House rises in June as to which of the options she has chosen. I would suggest that this is probably an upgrade of this motion.