Yes, thank you.
I certainly appreciate the discussion that's going on today, because we really want to make sure this bill is improved to the maximum extent it can be.
I will start with how it specifically says “no later”. If the minister decides he or she wants to do a consultation, and again, clause 13 reads, “the Minister must, in the manner that the Minister considers it appropriate,” that again gives us great flexibility.
I don't believe this is a cumbersome issue. What it does, though, is deal with the loophole of the ball being in the government's—or, in this case, the minister's—court, such that they could open up a consultation and then literally just say they're continuing to consult, continuing to consult, continuing to consult. That, I think, is what Mr. Saini's amendment is about. It's about saying the minister shall submit a report.
If you give the average college or university student complete leeway as to when they can turn in an assignment, they often will push it back as far as possible. This probably isn't good for anyone, considering that the government has a duty and a responsibility, I believe, to those who participate in it.
I would like to ask the officials a question with regard to this.
Is there anything in this amendment that would make it troublesome?
The way I read the original clause 13, and again proposed clause 13.1, “by any other means that the Minister considers appropriate” seems to mean that the minister can have considerable flexibility when opening up a consultation.
Is that not the case?