Before both the subcommittee and the Agriculture Committee, repeatedly, witnesses have been accompanied by people belonging to their organization. There's even the ultimate example of ministers who arrive here in the company of an army of public servants who sit behind them and who, at some point, are asked to come and sit at the table. Nothing has ever been said against this practice. I don't understand why suddenly we're trying to control the attendance of witnesses to this extent.
Speaking of control, there's also another problem: the government seems to want to control the operation of this subcommittee. I've just about had enough of endlessly repeating that we asked that... Fine, I've just seen the cameras and I'll stop now. It was not indicated that the meeting would be televised, but I've just noticed that it is. That's good news, but our sessions haven't always been televised.
Mr. Chair, you are not setting a good example by circulating a letter that you wrote to Mr. Easter written in English only. All documents distributed here should be in both official languages. You're the chair of this subcommittee and right now I have before me a letter from you written solely in English.
In my opinion, things are not going so well and I'll have some other comments to make to the Agriculture Committee, which is merrily slipping out of control. I don't understand why people are making such a fuss because Mr. Kingston wanted to be accompanied by a member from his organization. It's beyond me and I denounce it.