Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I appreciate the intervention of my colleague. I appreciate the sentiment with which he is bringing up the motion today.
I would note that it is December 10 and the motion is essentially requesting the minister to appear sometime during the next five days. As all members of this committee are well aware, we are planning to table publicly the fall economic statement on Monday, December 16, and I am very much looking forward to hearing the reaction and questions that folks around this table will have on that document.
I would like to ensure that people have those numbers before questioning the minister. I think that would make the appearance of the minister most productive. The minister has appeared prior to the fall economic statement, both before the Senate and before the industry committee, and as the record shows, there was not a lot we could delve into during those rounds of questioning because we did not yet have the numbers before us.
I would also note that we have always had the Minister of Finance appear for the economic statement's implementation bill, for the budget implementation bill or for a finance bill that comes to the finance committee. We have not had a bill come to the finance committee over the last two and a half months—since we started the fall sitting. For various reasons, including most notably that the House of Commons has been obstructed by the Conservative Party, we needed to move alternatively to get the GST bill through the House of Commons in an unusual way.
I would like to reaffirm the interest of the minister to appear at this committee. I have an amendment to propose to colleagues around the table, which I would like to circulate at this time. I will move it verbally and then circulate the paper copies so that all members may see it in writing.
I move:
That the Minister of Finance be invited to appear at committee for two hours at the next available opportunity, with the intent that this appearance take place before the House rises for the winter recess.
I would now invite debate on that amendment.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.