Mr. Chair, I think Mr. Redekopp makes a fine point. The challenge is that we haven't set out any other parameters around this consultation. We haven't directed the minister to begin the consultation a certain number of months prior. We haven't set out a certain length for the consultation. We've simply said in clause 13, “When setting or amending a national greenhouse gas emissions target or establishing or amending an emissions reduction plan, the Minister must” accept submissions from stakeholders. Unless we have detail around the duration of the consultation, and the start time and date of the consultation, by setting an end date of 12 months, I believe, after the consultation begins, if the consultation is relatively short, that could be a long period of time. It creates the potential for government to take all of that 12 months, when indeed most people would expect it to release the report much sooner.
As I said before, I don't think it's necessary. Most Canadians, I believe, and certainly members of this committee, would expect that if the minister is compelled to release a report on consultations leading up to a decision, that report would be released either prior to the decision being announced or concurrently with that decision being announced.
I'll leave it at that. I see that Mr. Albas has his hand up as well.