No. The difference here is that with this amendment, we are making heading to clause-by-clause contingent upon the fact that the minister appears for two hours, as opposed to having an invitation just for two hours.
Mr. Chair, as we've seen, we've had three different invitations that have gone unrequited. We would like some encouragement to have the minister here, as the minister has only spoken 24 times, despite the fact that she has a budget. I have to think that's a record low in the House of Commons. She has only been in the House five times to speak. She has rejected us three times. While we have tremendous respect for the deputy leader and Minister of Finance, her attendance has been less than desirable. This is meant to encourage and incentivize her to come.
Obviously we cannot compel a minister. We can certainly make it a condition and precedent to head to clause-by-clause for her to appear. As I said, we do not mean this in any form to be disrespectful of the deputy leader and Minister of Finance. We believe that it's absolutely critical, given that she is requiring taxpayers to pony up $490 billion, of which $60 billion is new money.... According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, $12 billion is unaccounted for. That means there's no detail or transparency. It includes a $798-million slush fund that has no accountability or transparency.
We very much want her to appear for two hours. Unfortunately, because she's been unwilling to accept our invitations in the past, we are left in no place but to be skeptical of her appearance. We don't believe we should enter into the clause-by-clause and basically pass this through the committee without hearing from the Minister of Finance. In fact, I believe that would be unheard of and, actually, precedent setting.
I understand that the NDP members feel the same way we do. We would very much appreciate their support to have the minister. It seems like it would make sense for all parties, in government and opposition. I'm sure even government backbench members would like to hear what the minister has to say, because she's been so very quiet. As I said, she's only been in the House five times this year and has rejected three separate invitations to appear in front of the finance committee.
Once again, it's $490 billion that she and her ministry are are asking for for the government. We realize that some of that is very necessary spending and important to the Canadian public. However, there is $60 billion in new spending. I'm sure there's some important spending in there as well.
This will give her the opportunity to explain to Canadians why they've had to deal with 20-year highs in inflation, why they're still dealing with high rates of interest and why, in March, economic growth turned negative. We will, of course, treat her with the respect that her office entitles her to.
Our whole job and responsibility here is to be the voice of the Canadian people—the common people—who are so extraordinary in everything they do. We believe that the minister has a responsibility to the Canadian public, if she's going to ask the Canadian public for $490 billion, to appear for two hours before the finance committee. That equates to her asking for $8 billion for every minute she speaks. I don't think this is an outrageous request.
As I said, we would very much like the NDP members, if they are serious about having the minister here.... The reality is that she's ignored three requests. Just putting an invitation out has got us nowhere at this finance committee in terms of getting there. If the NDP members are serious about having her appear, I'm sure they will support this.