My point, Mr. Chair, would be that a number of independents may want to come to different committees. I think it's just proper to ask for unanimous consent. If someone is not subbed in, I have no issue.... Raquel Dancho subbed in today, and we followed the proper process. At every meeting I've been at, the chair usually asks at the beginning if there is unanimous consent to have a member who is not an official member of the committee speak. To me, that's just a good thing for us to ensure. Quite honestly, if it happens that several different independent members want to come in, then we have to start drawing the line on these things.
I would just hope that you would canvass people and seek that consent to have someone who is not subbed in, who may be an associate member just by virtue of being a member of Parliament, participate if the committee wills it.