I think there are some real questions raised about whether or not the committee actually has the mandate to do this. I think what would be more constructive, and the parliamentary secretary could help us with this.... There has been one request already for the minister to appear before the committee on this.
I think we have to go back to the minister and get him to appear before committee immediately to discuss this. This is a time-sensitive issue. I understand the nature of the request in this motion to halt the proposed sale until there's been a full hearing into the sale by this committee. I don't want to create a precedent where the industry committee is used for every transaction or whereby that becomes a part within the merger and acquisition business, that people can assume that the industry committee is going to become engaged in every one of these questions.
But I would like to have the minister and public servants involved in the Investment Canada Act to appear before committee so that we have a better understanding of it. Frankly, I don't think we have, as members, enough understanding of the Investment Canada Act and its applicability in these cases and the power and capacity of the minister to act. I'd really like to have a better understanding of that, but I'm saying that based on the assumption and constructive hope or desire that the minister can appear quickly on this. I don't want this to be delayed beyond a potential transaction.
I really think this is a case—an important case—where we can learn more about the Investment Canada Act, how it works, and the minister's capacity to act in this case, while it's absolutely relevant.