So there are two meetings to hear from witnesses on the biggest reform in our tax system in 40 years. We're going to have two meetings.
We have had dozens of organizations sign an open letter iterating grave concerns about tax increases as high as 73% on the retirement savings and maternity leave benefits of our entrepreneurs. That's two meetings, to hear from 60 or 70 organizations that represent literally millions of employees on the biggest tax question that may be put before the House, certainly in my career, but maybe in a full generation.
Mr. Chair, this committee is the one that is responsible for the Income Tax Act. That is directly in our jurisdiction. The member and the governing side—the majority here—want to ram this thing through in two meetings.
As you know, Mr. Chair, much smaller issues have been discussed for much longer time periods in committees across this parliamentary precinct. To have the government show up here with a motion seeking to ram this tax increase into effect while hearing from witnesses over a total of just four or five hours is unprecedented. In a single meeting, we will be lucky to hear from four or five witnesses. We have dozens of witnesses who need to testify on this issue.
I'm sure that the government would be willing to extend the discussion and amend this motion to read, “That beginning the week of September 25, and continuing until there are no further witnesses interested in testifying, the committee will undertake a study of the finance minister's proposed changes to the Income Tax Act.”
I would ask the honourable member if he would consider that as a friendly amendment.