Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First of all, I support Mr. Poilievre's motion.
Yesterday, I was somewhat frustrated due to my computer problems, which meant that I could not properly engage in discussions with the witnesses.
Our meeting was supposed to last four hours. I imagined that I might find myself in a situation the next day where the Prime Minister would only have one hour, and I might have computer issues for five minutes during my speaking time.
I believe that giving three hours to Mr. Trudeau and two hours to Ms. Telford is the least we can do. It is a unique and complex situation. To my knowledge, we have never seen a Prime Minister and his Minister of Finance under investigation by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. For this Prime Minister, it is the third time in recent years.
Let me be clear about the WE Charity situation. I am not here to put WE Charity or Mr. Trudeau's family on trial. Clearly, Mr. Trudeau has put himself in an unacceptable situation. He recognizes that and has even apologized for it. The same goes for Mr. Morneau. The situation deserves careful consideration by Parliament. Such is the principle of democracy. It is our job as members of Parliament and we need these hours to meet with Mr. Trudeau and Ms. Telford.
Having said that, I was not here when the rules on each party's speaking time were made. I understand that the Bloc Québécois' time was modelled on the NDP's. As you know, though, we have 32 members, whereas the NDP has only around 20. I do not know the exact number. I would like to have the same amount of time as the Liberals and the Conservatives for the second round of questions. It would allow me to speak more effectively and less rapidly.
When we have only five minutes per hour to speak, it is quite difficult to be cool, calm, and collected, because we try to go fast. Yesterday, Mr. Poilievre was criticized for being a little short with the witnesses. I must admit that, even though we are not from the same party, I understood, because I had the same feeling. When witnesses spoke for two or three minutes after a 30-second question, I got the impression that they were encroaching on the precious minutes I had available to ask my questions.
I will sum up by saying three things. First, I will support Mr. Poilievre's motion. Second, if there is a mechanism by which the Bloc Québécois could be given the same amount of time as the Liberals and Conservatives, it would be desirable and fair.
Third, I would like to see us adopt procedures, a way of operating, that would ensure that if, for example, a question is asked in 20 or 30 seconds, the witness would have to answer it within the same timeframe, similar to what we did with the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic in the House. For witnesses who take longer to respond, a mechanism would have to be put in place so that members could get their precious minutes back and avoid losing two, three or four minutes because witnesses are going on and on with longwinded answers.