Thank you, Chair.
I still have a lot of questions to ask the officials. I hope we will have the time to come back to them.
Just before the meeting, I was on the picket line in Joliette to let the women and men on the line know that we agree with them, that they are entitled to a negotiated agreement, and that we reiterate the demand that the government bargain. I even think that at this stage, after a weekend with no progress, we support their demand that the Prime Minister intervene personally. We must not, contrary to what we have seen on all the other issues in recent years, fold our arms and allow the situation to deteriorate. That leads to terrible situations.
Obviously, as I said at the previous meeting, I completely support the motion presented by Mr. Chambers. I think it is a good motion.
I understood the arguments made by Ms. Dzerowicz, and I thank her for them. I also concur in the arguments made by Mr. Blaikie. So let people who are able to file their returns by the current deadlines do so. However, as my colleagues said, accounting firms that have clarifications to request from Canada Revenue concerning certain cases are unable to get answers at present. That is creating a problem. As well, the present situation is in addition to the labour shortage in the bookkeeping and accounting industry, which means it is very difficult for them to file all the returns in the period allowed.
I would remind you that in Quebec, we were without electricity for several days in numerous regions because of the freezing rain. A lot of accounting firms were hit by this situation. The Quebec government has already given them an extension for filing returns, in view of the situation. In my opinion, a G7 country is certainly capable of granting an extension, in view of the exceptional circumstances.
Thank you.