Mr. Chair, I don't think we should support the motion put forward by Mr. Lessard, because it leaves open other doors. If we're not done by midnight and we're still working on this, do we come back tomorrow? Do we come back on Saturday? Do we come back on Sunday? Certainly I think we want to make decisions when we're all focused on what's at hand. We don't want to be worrying about other issues--who has to go where or if there's a plane or a riding event. Certainly I think everyone here is willing to stay as long as required. We'd hate to see ourselves working at 11:30 at night, arguing on legislation, when we can simply meet next week and continue to do this in the selected committee time. I realize everyone can make rearrangements. But to simply pass a motion to say we cut it off at 12 o'clock I don't think is going to put us any further ahead. We'll probably still come back Tuesday.
I think it's better that we work within the designated time periods. Obviously we're all allowed to debate this as much as we'd like, and I think we need to be cognizant of that. Given the obligations everyone has in their own ridings, it may be more appropriate to continue within the agreed schedule for these meetings.
We've had these discussions before about when the committee meets, and realizing the extra workload we have in this committee, we've agreed to meet three times a week. Compared to other committees, I think we're showing significant effort to recognize the heavier workload.
My question, which I hope Mr. Lessard could answer, is this. What if we're not done at 12 o'clock? What is the next step? Are you suggesting we meet until 12 o'clock tomorrow too and on Saturday? That's something that I think you're going to need to give us some guidance on, if you want to steer away from what we've agreed upon in these three days when we meet.