Thank you, Madam Chair.
I think all members of the committee share the deep concern that was just expressed; however, we will be opposing this motion for the reason that there is a motion under discussion by the House leaders currently to deal with this, which we think is a more comprehensive approach than one meeting by the health committee.
I would like to read this proposed motion, which is being discussed and negotiated as we speak. It proceeds as follows:
That in order to reinforce the confidence that all Canadians should have in Canada's public health system at this time, when concern is growing in many countries about the risk of a new international influenza outbreak, a special surveillance committee of parliamentarians is hereby established, with all the powers given to standing committees by the Standing Orders, consisting of 11 members of the House of Commons, including five from the Conservative Party, three from the Liberal party, two from the Bloc Québécois, and one from the New Democratic Party, with a chair to be elected from among the government members, for the purpose of monitoring all developments in respect of the influenza situation and ensuring that the public receives the timely, accurate, and useful information needed to react appropriately to evolving events. To that end, the parties should select their representatives on this committee at least in part based on their expertise in public health matters. The committee should receive daily briefings from senior government officials, in camera when necessary, on all matters that it deems to be relevant to protecting and promoting the public interest.
That's being debated.
Madam Chair, I propose that this motion before us be withdrawn until such time as the proposed Liberal motion that the House leaders are debating has come to its conclusion.