Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I had actually raised my hand to respond to the amendment moved by Mr. Davies, whom I thank for his effort to have the committee reach a consensus, or at least a compromise.
I think we could manage with the number of hours proposed. However, the problem remains on the issue of deadlines. For example, the third paragraph of the original motion reads as follows:
iii. that any amendments to the bill be submitted by no later than 5:00 PM ET on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024;
However, if there are six hours of testimony on Thursday, May 23, and we have to move the written amendments the same day, that would be a problem. We often want to draft our amendments working with the law clerks of the House, based on the testimony we have heard. The law clerks must study the amendments from a legal standpoint so that they are drafted in such a way as to achieve their objective and so that their form follows the rules. In addition, they must then be translated. So there is a problem with the proposed deadline.
I understand how important the parliamentary break week is, especially since community groups often hold activities in May and June, and we are often sitting in the House, which leaves us little time to go and listen to our constituents and answer their questions. If we don't want to sit that week, then I suggest that we extend all deadlines by at least a week. Otherwise, I don't see how we can do our job properly, study the bill properly, and have the time to hear from witnesses, draft amendments and vote on them.