Thank you, Chair.
I want to make one point about the witnesses appearing before the committee. Has it been the practice in the past for the committee to use only teleconferencing? I am concerned that when witnesses, especially from the west coast, are asked to provide testimony by teleconference, they miss the opportunity to come to Parliament Hill, meet members of the committee, and do the kind of networking that other Canadians who live in closer proximity are often granted the opportunity to do as a matter of course .
I have to flag that with the committee, because when I hear that witnesses from British Columbia are going to appear by teleconference, I often feel a little western alienation. Canadians from farther points in Canada miss out on the opportunity to do their work here with us in person. I'm not saying we shouldn't go ahead with what is planned for Wednesday, but in future we need to pay attention to that issue as well.