Mr. Chair, I would like to commend Mr. Cooper for not moving his motion earlier. At times in the past, notices of motions given before our meetings were debated while witnesses were present, and we were unable to hear from those witnesses. Out of respect for today's witnesses, I think this was a good thing.
Now, there is a notice of motion that must have been distributed to the Liberals. That's fine, but it would have been nice if the Prime Minister's office, out of respect for this committee, had sent not only that information to journalists, but also everything that the motion or notice of motion requested from the committee. That would have been a sign of respect, because we are not playing politics. We are concerned with ethics here, and the reaction of my colleagues across the floor leads me to believe that their position is to defend their leader. I have nothing to do with that. That is not why I came here.
What I want is transparency, and especially more transparency in the unusual case we are currently dealing with. Everyone agreed that the current situation of the Prime Minister—who holds the highest office in Canadian government—was not anticipated when the Conflict of Interest Act was drafted. It was not even anticipated during the last revisions.
In this regard, if my colleagues are acting in good faith, they will not oppose greater transparency surrounding the work that is supposed to be done in the common interest by this Prime Minister.
That is why I will be voting in favour of the motion.