Chair, this is my first opportunity to speak to the original motion. We've spoken to three different amendments, and all three have failed. The concern has been expressed clearly that the way it is written is not in the spirit of fairness in the situation of a minority government.
In the situation this committee finds itself in now, it reads “that the chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three members are present, including one member of the opposition”. What I don't want to see happen, Chair, is that we have the opposition members trying to run their own committee and having their own meetings. The government should be there. There is a role for the government to play in this committee.
Now, what is the safety valve in that? Is it hidden in there, or is it clearly spelled out? So my question to the clerk is what is the safety valve to make sure that the opposition members do not start running their own committee?