Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. McTeague, you pointed out the point that I was going to make, that we have removed a member to accommodate Mr. Arthur. Notwithstanding, he has proven to be a very valuable asset to this committee, and I think we've all grown to love and admire our colleague.
And we did have, as Mr. Colin so rightfully pointed out, some difficulties at the last session. That did cause some concern.
The two recommendations on the rounds of questioning and the speaking order address those concerns. We feel it is important that Monsieur Arthur has his input. As I said, it has proven to be very valuable in the past, and I'm sure it will be very valuable in the future too.
As Madam Brunelle pointed out, it is true that independents don't have the party recognition, but committees are somewhat different from what takes place in Parliament. Committees are where the real work is done, where acts are dissected, where reports are made, and I think it behooves us that we have all members contribute to that. I think in lieu of the fact that we have three members on this committee, Monsieur Arthur is definitely a valuable asset.
I think it accommodates what we're trying to do as a committee. We do feel very strongly about this. Maybe there's a compromise we can work out, but we need to be assured that Monsieur Arthur has some contribution and won't be stopped from doing that.