This applies to the Liberals as well as to the Conservatives. Politicians say one thing when in government and another thing when they are in opposition.
It is our responsibility to be consistent. Which opposition party played a leadership role 20 months ago in advocating a change to these Standing Orders? The Conservative Party. It was fine when the Conservatives were in the opposition but now they are in power, it no longer makes sense.
That is why I am repeating what I said: We will adopt Ms. Redman's motion and then we can sit down, on the suggestion of Mr. Hill or anyone else who would like us to consider the Standing Orders, and review any necessary minor changes.
Still, I would like to come back to a point Mr. Hill stated as one of the facts that was bothering him: The five-day notice required for convening a committee during the summer, or during a recess.
I would just remind Mr. Hill that I sat on the Public Accounts Standing Committee when they were dealing with the sponsorship scandal. That Standing Order was used for convening the committee, which included Conservatives members, in the middle of summer. When the Conservatives were in the opposition, the five-day rule was not an issue, but now it is. Just one minute!
I have not had time to check but I believe the same thing happened in other committees. I may have mental illnesses but I have a good memory. The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met in order to hear oil companies. The Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs and International Development met in order to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, the JTFA-2 or another similar issue.
Therefore, I think that Mr. Hill should consider the number of times the Conservatives worked with us, the Bloc Québecois, and the NDP in order to use the rule that allows for four or five committee members convening a committee meeting while the House is not sitting. He will see that then the five-day notice was fine. Now that the Conservatives are in power, it would take 10 days!
He is going to have a hard time convincing me. Nevertheless, I am always willing to talk to Mr. Hill and any of my whip colleagues. I adore, I love my whip colleagues.