Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would also like to say a few words about the motion tabled by my colleague.
In his introduction he said he was open to amendments. We do not intend to present amendments to his motion. We support it for several reasons. Among other things, there is the price of oil. In fact, in the House the Prime Minister spoke at a certain point about an economic crisis. I put a question to him on that and I did not receive an answer.
It is so important that the government decided to postpone tabling the budget. In the final analysis, we need this information so that the budget can be duly tabled. Now this has been postponed till April. We don't know if it will be tabled in the first part of the month of April or later.
Thus it is becoming increasingly important and urgent for the committee to meet witnesses and discuss these things. Mr. Saxton stated that the Parliamentary Budget Officer had carried out a study. That is very good and it is an indication, but even if the price of a barrel of oil goes back up to $80, that does not necessarily translate into stability.
I think it is important that we examine these points, all the more so since this situation has an impact on the manufacturing sector. I don't have to list all of the big businesses that are closing their doors or laying people off. We are talking about several thousand jobs.
We are in February. Since the tabling of the budget has been postponed till April, it would be interesting for the committee to consider this motion and undertake the impact study it proposes.