Again, the chair is going to be a little reluctant to defend, or whatever, Madam Freeman's motion. And I looked carefully, because the wording is not exactly what I would have used, but the intent here is clear.
To help you a bit, I also noticed the word “regarding”. If you look back at the original motion, it states, “investigate the actions of the Conservative Party...during the 2006 election”. So it's in both, and I think it would be very difficult for someone to argue that what we were doing in the 39th session, the so-called in-and-out hearings, is not what Madam Freeman is referring to. So I've ruled it in order.
You ask a very good question with regard to, if we do this...and Mr. Siksay also has made some assumptions about how we might do this. I've given it a bit of thought. As a broad indication, this committee would not embark on any work until the members have received all the documents, transcripts, exhibits, lists, everything, from the officials and the resources we have. I have kept mine in some semblance of order. I have a pretty good idea of how large they are, and I would say there are probably about 2,000 or 3,000 pages of testimony and exhibits, etc.
This will not happen quickly. Should this pass--I'm speculating, and I shouldn't be--it has to be a given that everybody has to be up to speed. There has to be enough time, and members have to have an opportunity to ask questions so their starting point is clear. I give you that undertaking.
Back to you, Mr. Dechert.