She's doing all the work--as is typical in most households. But Mr. Warkentin sends his regards.
Mr. Chair, the reason I've called a point of order is this. I'm always delighted to hear from the Parliamentary Budget Officer. It's great to have him here again.
I'm not normally part of the steering committee, so I'm basically speaking on behalf of Chris Warkentin, if I may.
The principal part of the steering committee is to establish the agenda for the timeframe going forward. It's done in consultation amongst members around this table, through their steering committee representatives.
I was struck by the fact that we only found out that the Parliamentary Budget Officer would be here.... As I said, while I welcome him here, and he's always welcome at this committee, I just found it very strange that the decision had been made. I do know, from the standpoint of the Conservatives, that a phone call was made by the chair to our steering committee representative, and at that time he was advised that the Parliamentary Budget Officer was going to be speaking.
I know that Chris Warkentin had a comment that, from the standpoint of timing and all, whether or not it was the right time to have the Parliamentary Budget Officer here in light of the budget timeframe...and maybe it would have been better after that. But when he spoke to the chair--this is what Mr. Warkentin said to me, and I apologize that it's third-hand--the comment from the chair to him, with regard to the Parliamentary Budget Officer attending, was that, well, you'd better find it out from me before you read it in the newspapers.
And you know what? That was true. The call was appreciated. I can't speak for the other colleagues on whether they were consulted in advance--perhaps they want to have a comment on it--but it just strikes me....
I'm not sure I'd call it condescending, because that is not the chair. That is not the chair I've come to know and respect. But it strikes me that it's just inappropriate, in the role of this committee and the work that we're trying to do, to go around the steering committee in terms of setting an agenda like this.
I'm quite frankly troubled by it. I know that my colleagues on this side of the table are troubled by it. This is no disregard to the PBO being here. Frankly, as I said, he's always welcome. To me, the issue is making determinations ahead of the committee, on behalf of the committee, that should be the prerogative of the committee. I just feel, from our standpoint, that's been taken in a direction that is not appropriate and doesn't show regard for the hard work of this committee and the important work that we have to do.
Those are my comments, Mr. Chair.