I would like to set the record straight, Mr. Chair.
My comment is for the parliamentary secretary and for you, Mr. Chair. It seems—and I have two examples to prove it—that the minister is more interested in making announcements and he doesn't care that the committee is sitting. This morning the minister will make an announcement at 11 o'clock. Unfortunately that is when we are sitting.
We received an invitation to attend the launch, on March 1st, of international polar year. This is a matter that affects the majority, if not all members of this committee.
There are two possibilities, Mr. Chair. I would like to remind the parliamentary secretary of that so that he can talk to the minister and ask him to at least try to make his announcements when the committee is not sitting. The other possibility is that we do not sit in order that we can attend these very important major events such as the launch of the international polar year, which, as we know, is very important.
This morning, an important announcement was made on the aboriginal friendship centres. You understand how important these aboriginal friendship centres are to a number of us here.
I would like to clarify this from the outset, Mr. Chair, so that messages are sent to the right people. At the end of the session, we should decide whether or not to sit on March 1st.