I appreciate that suggestion. I have to say, though, the minister has been around this file for some time. She is very competent, good on her feet, and she has good senior officials.
We are pressed for time. I don't think it's being unfair that we ask her to come in on Thursday. That having been said, if we can't get her on Thursday and we can get her next Tuesday, then that's fine. I'd like the minister to be here.
I find it insulting that the minister hasn't been before this committee and doesn't take time to come to sit with the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to share with us her vision for her department and to engage in dialogue with us, members who are clearly very interested in this issue and would benefit from her answers and from her insights. I can't understand how a standing committee can be allowed to function without some participation from the minister. I find that seriously unfortunate, Mr. Chair.
That's our position. I'd like to see the minister appear; I'd like to see the senior officials appear to deal with the supp (B)s and to answer some questions. I'm not going to get into it with the government. They'll vote me down either way; it doesn't matter. Maybe it would be easier for the minister to come in on Thursday than it would be to come in next Tuesday if there is a concern about her schedule. Let's amend the motion to say, “at the earliest opportunity, no later than December 2”. We all understand why it's important for us to have the minister appear before the committee, Mr. Chair.