Thank you for that.
I'm going to turn to our guests in the room. I have only about three minutes left, so for an efficient use of my time, Madam Chair, what I'll do is give a couple of questions and invite both sets of panellists to respond.
First of all, Ms. Patterson's opening comments mentioned some of the considerations for when virtual Parliament would be an option. What struck me was that you made the comment about family responsibilities, caregiving and illness, which I think are very much common-sense ones. What you didn't mention were partisan considerations, partisan events. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but I will ask the question as to whether or not you see this as an option for partisan-related events as well. That's a question for both sets of guests, on political events in ridings or in other people's ridings across the country where one could take advantage of that.
That's the first question. I'll allow both groups to respond.
My second question is on the involvement of the whip. I say this cognizant that there's a former whip sitting two people over from me, but certainly there are always those unintended consequences. I would appreciate any input you may have on the inadvertent challenges we may have by giving the whip increased power, such as increased authority, whether formal or informal, over the activities of parliamentarians related to a virtual Parliament, and therefore giving the whips the authority to say when a member may or may not be there virtually, or when a member may or may not be in their riding or in another person's riding. What are the unintended consequences and how may we be able to mitigate those?
I'll put those questions out there. Maybe we'll start with Equal Voice.