Thank very much, Julie. I appreciate that.
Let me start by saying that the underlying issue that's referenced in the request to meet today is incredibly important to my constituents and to Canadians. I think we all agree on that. I have a lot to say about this issue and some of the things that Mr. Chambers in particular spoke to at the beginning, on the underlying subject matter of inflation, the cost of living, and what's being done about it, but I would rather just focus on how we move forward.
I think we've been working throughout the summer to hear from Canadians and to listen to their ideas on a range of topics as well as to improve the functioning of this committee. I think we've all agreed that there have been moments of dysfunction at this committee in the recent past. I recall that we ended our spring sitting of the committee with the objective of reworking, rethinking and working together on how our committee works going forward to make sure it is more productive and better serves Canadians on important issues.
Today we are in an emergency meeting with an invitation for the minister to speak to us within a week. I think this motion is unreasonable. I agree with a number of the points that Mr. Blaikie made about why it's unreasonable. I really think the focus of this committee should be on working together to try to discuss the issues that are most important to our constituents and to Canadians. I do think the motion is unreasonable. I think one of the things we could be focusing on concretely as a committee, to advance the concerns of Canadians and the issues that are important to Canadians, is the pre-budget consultations that are coming up and that the committee is planning for. To me, that would be the next immediate thing we could do to try to advance the concerns that Canadians have.
As I said, I do think having the minister come in within seven days to speak to us is unreasonable, as well as a number of other aspects of the proposed motion.