Mr. Chair, there's been conversation that we could deliberate about witnesses later, but right now there's a prescription for who the witnesses would be. We, as a committee, don't know why these witnesses are included in this motion. I think it's out of respect for other committee members--it's essential--that Madam Bourgeois explain to committee why she has included the list that she has. I see this list and it's very prescriptive as to who she wants to come forward. I don't know that she knows why she's prescribed these people. I think somebody in her office or in her leader's office has made a determination that she should include certain people. Now she has come forward, because right now she has given absolutely no explanation as to why she would include the people she's included. In the absence of that, I see it as irresponsible for committee members to vote for this prescriptive list of witnesses in this prescriptive motion without any explanation as to why. We have no explanation. Further to that, as I'm looking through this witness list, we have a senator's staff member that's included in this. I believe it's absolutely essential that that member be removed.
On October 19th, 2010. See this statement in context.