Ms. Collins, I have been in Parliament for quite a long time now and have sat on different subcommittees. I find subcommittees are more efficient because you represent your constituents and your party, etc., and you bring that thinking to the subcommittee. The steering committee just creates an agenda, because all the motions come in as to what to study and when to study it. We can limit the steering committee's job to creating a timetable and saying what days are available and what slots they have filled up, and then asking what you and your whole committee think.
It doesn't take away the committee time. It just asks the three or four members to give some time to discussing the schedule for the year. That's it. We do not want to make it into a.... It is never a decision-making body; it is just there to ensure people's input.
Mr. Baker, I'll get to you immediately.
For example, the Conservative caucus, the Liberal caucus, the NDP caucus or the Bloc caucus says, “Here is my representation; here is what I need to put before you and here are my motions.” The whole committee decides on the motion and says, “Okay, we will study it.” Then the subcommittee says, “Here is our timetable.” They will work with the clerk and the analysts to see how many meetings to have, what the decision is, etc.
Whether I was the chair of some of those committees during a minority Parliament or I was the vice-chair, I've always found these very important because they cut down the committee's time. I hope that answers your question. If it doesn't, let me know.
Mr. Baker.