I had hoped I wouldn't have to speak, because I thought Mr. Fergus would at the very least suggest that we not bring the minister before the committee but bring the Bombardier folks before the committee, and that he might propose an amendment to our motion.
I can understand why the government members may not want to have the minister appear before the committee. I now understand why almost every Albertan I spoke to last week on constituency break was absolutely outraged at what had happened. They weren't just mad at Bombardier. They were mad at the government for letting this happen.
This is a great opportunity for members of this committee to put the Bombardier folks on the seat and prove to Canadians that it isn't the government they should be mad at. At least prove it to Albertans. I can't speak for anyone outside Alberta, but I can speak for Albertans, and I can say, Mr. Chair, that these members will wear this. They will wear it in Alberta, and I believe they will wear it elsewhere in Canada.
This is the only method we have as parliamentarians to have the Bombardier folks explain why they did what they did. There is no other method. The committee method is the only way we can ensure that we have witnesses before this committee. For this particular member to say we are too busy is absolutely unbelievable, Mr. Chair.
I listen to the ministers in question period when they're asked about this particular situation. I think I heard even the Prime Minister say, “Well, they dealt with it; they're not taking the full raise.” Mr. Chair, that is like saying you doubled your salary and then decided that you're only going to increase your salary by 50%, so it's all right.
It is not all right, Mr. Chair. For this committee not to approve this motion.... Frankly, Mr. Chair, with your experience and your comments made publicly, I suggest that if your colleagues on this committee vote down this opportunity to have Bombardier come before this committee to explain themselves, you should think about taking your juniors out behind the shed when we're finished and give them a little talking-to about politics, because they obviously don't understand politics and you do, Mr. Chair.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I can only say that I am deeply disappointed and I can understand why Albertans are mad as hell at Bombardier and mad as hell at this government.