Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Congratulations on your election, and congratulations, Mr. McLean and Monsieur Ste-Marie, on your elections.
Mr. Beech's proposal is very responsible. He has proposed December 10 as the date for the start of the clause‑by‑clause consideration of the bill. I think it's important that we be ready to work on it on December 10.
I say this because if we don't set a timeline for this committee to work, to get to the clause-by-clause process, then we risk not getting this legislation passed in a timely manner or, at the very least, not getting the consideration done in a timely manner. Certainly when we get to clause-by-clause consideration, any member can choose to propose amendments and can choose to vote for or against certain clauses. That's their right, of course, but it's important that we get to that stage in time so that the committee can consider the bill and pass it, in whatever form the committee chooses to pass it, and we can get these programs out to folks who need them.
I think these benefits are critical to those who are struggling or who will be struggling in the future, whether that be individuals or businesses. As you can see from the legislation, the supports for individuals and businesses that are proposed here are for those who are really facing tremendous hardship, with significant revenue declines for business or for people who are under public health orders and the like. I think it would be unfortunate if this committee couldn't set an expeditious timeline to ensure that the legislation is considered quickly and that a decision by this committee, whatever that decision may happen to be, is made in a timeline that allows folks to get the help they need when they need it.
I would hate to go back to people in my community in Etobicoke Centre or to Canadians in other parts of the country and have to say that we weren't willing to work at the most expeditious pace reasonably possible to consider this legislation. I think December 10 is an expedited timeline—there's no question—but I think it's needed, given that there are so many folks out there who are struggling.
Those are my thoughts, Mr. Chair.