Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm new to politics, and this is the first time I've experienced this type of filibustering. I was ready to work with my fellow members on the 2022 fall economic statement, so it's very disappointing that I can't do that.
I know that my fellow member Mr. Beech has worked incredibly hard to find a solution that would satisfy the Conservative members. Being new to the world of politics, I'd like to speak from the standpoint of ordinary Canadians, if I may. I'm not like the new Conservative leader, who has been politicking since he hit puberty and is well versed in political games. I am here to stand up for Canadians who are struggling right now, and I genuinely believe that many of my fellow members, including in the Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois, feel the same way. We've all spoken to a lot of people in our ridings, so we know what a hard time they are having.
The 2022 fall economic statement contains very important measures, so the committee needs to be able to study the implementation bill, speak with department officials and pass the bill.
This filibustering is wasting the committee's time. I should point out that this tactic goes back to ancient Rome. It was used in Julius Caesar's day. Naturally, I understand the Conservatives' dissatisfaction. They wish they were in power, but they lost the election, so they're frustrated. I appreciate their frustration, but we all need to be able to work together for the sake of Canadians.
The 2022 fall economic statement contains many very important measures, and that's what we're here to discuss. For example, we want to talk about the waiving of interest on student loans. I represent a riding in Quebec, and I want to know what the government is going to do to eliminate the interest on loans for students in Quebec, as well, because Quebec has a different process for student loans. That's something I want to talk about. I also want to talk about the housing benefit and the elimination of transaction fees for small and medium-sized businesses. That's an important measure for businesses in rural communities. My riding is home to many small and medium-sized businesses, and credit card transaction fees are very costly to them. That's why I want to talk about when the measure is coming into force. I want to help pass all of those important measures.
I also want to talk about what we're doing to help Canadians succeed in the economy of tomorrow. I want to talk about the Canada growth fund, which is going to help a whole lot of businesses begin the green transition. A slew of measures have been announced to support the economy of tomorrow.
Being there for Canadians is one of our core values. We are here to discuss all of this with the members of the Conservative Party, the Bloc Québécois and the NDP. We are here to serve Canadians, and filibustering does not serve Canadians.
I genuinely hope we will be able to work together in earnest. We were elected to represent the same people, so it's important that we work together, get down to business and examine the 2022 fall economic statement.
I would very much like for the committee to be able to vote on Mr. Beech's motion, as amended by Mr. Baker's amendment, so that we can finally have a discussion with the Deputy Prime Minister, not to mention the experts and department officials who will be able to answer our technical questions about the measures that have been announced. That will be useful to Canadians. I really want us to be able to work together.
I am therefore asking that the committee proceed to the vote now, so that we can meet with the witnesses and discuss all of these measures with them. It's not that I don't like to hear Mr. Lawrence speak, but he's not the expert on all of these measures. We are here to hear what the experts have to say. Once we've done that, we can all grab a drink and listen to Mr. Lawrence speak his mind. I would be glad to do that. The committee, however, has to talk to experts and hear their answers to members' economic questions—not waste its time and, by extension, taxpayers' money. We were elected to work hard for them, not to hold meetings like the one on Monday and again today.
This is my heartfelt plea to the committee, on behalf of the Canadians we all represent, Canadians who want us to work together. Please, can we move forward and adopt the motion so we can discuss the 2022 fall economic statement?
That's all I have to say, Mr. Chair.