I commend the interpreters and the clerk for their efforts in terms of this meeting's proceedings, and the help we received from the IT centre for connecting and testing.

In the first part, we asked questions of the minister. Sometimes we were told that it was being discussed or that the answer was forthcoming.

Mr. Chair, if I am not mistaken, according to the standing orders, we can receive written answers to the questions we have asked. If possible, I would like to get written answers to questions that have not been answered. This might be worthwhile as we move forward.

I also want to talk about speaking time given to a member of the Green Party. I was surprised at that. I had understood that we would discuss it today or at a future meeting. Anyway, it is not a big deal, but everyone has to agree. We should really think about the time currently allotted, which varies from party to party. The Liberal Party and the Conservative Party have more time than the Bloc Québécois and the NDP. We need to look into this if we want to give an unrecognized party the right to speak.

There is also the question of the associate membership of committees. I feel that it is a matter for each party's governance. My understanding is that we have to inform the clerk when we want to share our time.

See you next time. I will stay online, but I won't speak anymore.

1:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thank you, Ms. Chabot.

Mr. Vis is on the speakers list.

Just a reminder, folks, we're now probably pressing the patience and goodwill of the House of Commons folks who need to go through this exercise on three occasions today.

Mr. Vis, the floor is yours.

1:10 p.m.

Conservative

Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC

I'd like to thank everyone for a very well-run meeting.

I'll just start with a quick comment. I appreciated all the questions I heard today regarding the eligibility of the programs and how we're responding to the immediate needs of Canadians, but I would be remiss if I didn't raise the point that we have also, as a Parliament, agreed to spend basically more money at a single point in time than ever in the history of Canada.

I was wondering, if it is the will of the committee, if we could get some preliminary numbers from the department about how public dollars are being allocated through the respective departments our committee oversees, and if that information might be available to us for further scrutiny moving forward in this committee process.

Thank you.

1:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thank you, Mr. Vis.

Thank you to everyone. Thank you to the minister, to the witnesses, and to my colleagues.

The vice-chairs can expect a call fairly soon, once we know what the path forward looks like, but for now we're past time. I therefore declare the meeting adjourned.

Thank you so much.