Again, the point needs to be made that it would be very straightforward to move on with the important work the finance committee does if the finance minister would simply articulate that she is willing to come and speak for two hours.
I am wondering, Mr. Chair, whether you've heard from either the clerk or possibly the finance minister and Deputy Prime Minister on whether she would simply be willing to commit to coming before this committee—if she were asked, of course—for those two hours. It is a fairly straightforward request.
Mr. Chair, on this point of order, I would ask that you share with the committee—or consult with the clerk on—whether or not we have heard that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance will come for two hours to defend her budget before the finance committee of Canada's Parliament.