That wraps it up for today.
I noticed that a number of deputy ministers or assistant deputy ministers were not available today. We will make them available as soon as possible. For example, on the discussion about Latin America, the proper official wasn't here. We will extend invitations to officials.
Just so the committee is aware, I will be asking the ministers to come as soon as they are able and comfortable to come to the committee, because I think it's important to do that.
Finally, I very much believe that this committee's number one function is to look at the estimates. It is our most important role as members of Parliament. For those who are not very familiar with estimates, you should get to know what they mean, and why we look at them. There have been a lot of decisions made over the previous government. Now there will be estimates, and then this new government will be making decisions. It's our role to make sure we look at the nuts and bolts of what is going on at Global Affairs. That's our major function as a committee.
I hope you will agree with me that we won't spend a political afternoon with the minister and an afternoon on the estimates with the officials and think we're done. It should be a lot more in depth than that. I don't see it as a negative; I see it as a very positive thing for everyone, because we get to know exactly what the budgets are in each area and we have discussions about our effectiveness. I think it would be a positive thing for all of us.
I want you to think about that as well, because I'm at the disposal of the committee. If the committee says no to that longer process for estimates, it will be up to the committee to decide. I just wanted to give you that sense of how I'd like to proceed.
Having said all that, I'll see the steering committee on Thursday and my colleagues in full committee on Tuesday, a week from today. Thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.
