Thank you very much, Chair.
I think this committee appreciates how long it took for us to finally get a report going. We've been doing a lot of work that is very offhand, and it doesn't really lead to many reports. I was quite proud of the way the committee came together to work on this.
While I take Mr. Villemure's points on the need to understand and take into account the security review, I want to make sure—and I've said this again and again—that this report sees a conclusion and is tabled in the House.
Chair, I'm sure that the clerk and you have done great work to try to get clarity and get this issue resolved. I found that we could have asked more comprehensive questions of the people we've been corresponding with. Perhaps we can ask for a follow-up and further explanation or clarification on this.
Clearly we don't know. You indicated, Chair, that you're not a hundred per cent sure. I think it would be a mistake for us to shelve this report without having done our homework and without doing the due diligence of finding out where exactly we stand on this.
As I've indicated many times before, I'm quite passionate about this report. Given the nature of artificial intelligence and social media platforms, with their implications on Canadians and privacy concerns, they are always going to be changing. They are always going to be innovating and be very fast-paced. If we start shelving reports like this, we're not going to get anywhere, because I bet you that 200 days from now, there are going to be different circumstances and we'll want to shelve the report again.
This is an ongoing issue that we need to continue to work on. I propose that we seek clarity on timelines and make sure that we go forward with this report, because it is essential. It is important.
This is interim too, because I can understand and appreciate that there will be a lot more reports coming on this exact issue, whether it's a year from now, two years from now, 10 years from now or 50 years from now. This is an evolving issue that we need to deal with as a committee, and I strongly encourage you, Chair, to not put this aside. We need to get this report on the record and tabled in the House to try to work on this issue.
As I've said, maybe this motion is a little pre-emptive. Perhaps we should first get clarification instead of just moving to shelve this. Perhaps, before we discuss and vote on this motion, you can seek some clarity and get some answers and follow-up, Chair.