Thank you, Mr. Chair and colleagues.
Before debating my motion on the temporary foreign worker program, I'd like to review some facts that may be discussed at future committee meetings.
First, there's a procedural matter. You're probably abiding by the rules, Mr. Chair, but, with all due respect, I noticed that, before the meeting had even started—you know this is a hybrid meeting—Mr. Long's hand was raised, whereas the meeting hadn't yet begun. I consider that practice undemocratic. It's like a game show where you have to hit the button first. It's also unclear how it would work in a hybrid format. The use of the raise hand feature before the meeting has even started could be challenged. That's why I raised my hand at the start.
When should we raise our hand? I think it should be at the start of the meeting, but then there would be a race to raise hands first. You also don't necessarily see it in hybrid mode.
Now I'll turn directly to my motion. As you know, I introduced a motion regarding a study on the effectiveness of labour market impact studies, or LMIAs, and the temporary foreign worker program. Mr. Long noted for our information that the committee had previously conducted an extensive study on that topic in 2016. I don't know whether you did it, but I took the time to read the entire study and found that it contained points that would justify me in maintaining my motion because many promising recommendations may not have been implemented and we have two dissenting reports at this time.
However, in view of all the work we have to do in this committee, I'd be prepared to withdraw my motion concerning the study of that program if I had the unanimous consent of members of this committee. Not because it wouldn't be prudent to examine those matters—the LMIA process and the temporary foreign worker program—but because we've previously adopted motions to invite ministers regarding their mandate letters and to complete the seniors study. There also appeared to be a consensus on the labour shortage study, even though I know we'll have a subcommittee to address priorities. We've also added an important question on affordable, social and community housing.
In short, I think it wise that we conduct an extensive study on the temporary foreign worker program, but I'm prepared for the moment to withdraw my motion and I'm seeking unanimous consent to do so.