Thanks, Mr. Chair.
I'd like, if we could get some indication.... I assume that for both the Bloc and the NDP their witnesses have also been contacted and told about this Thursday date. I find that kind of interesting; what a coincidence that all of the witnesses for all three parties would have been called and informed of the same dates and have no problem making it in three days.
On our side, we haven't been so presumptuous. I'm assuming that Mr. Garneau has not contacted those who might be opposed to his party's position and talked to them about the dates.
Again, it reinforces the notion that there's simply a political exercise going on here. In an effort to alleviate those concerns that we have on this side, hopefully we can find some compromise.
As you know, we believe that we do not need this meeting. We already had hearings on this. In fact, you guys already passed a motion after the last meeting, as a conclusion to the meeting.
It seems to me that in the spirit of compromise we might look at a solution. My colleague Mr. Wallace has suggested the week before Labour Day. I'm looking at my schedule, and September 2 makes some sense for me. I'd prefer, personally...and this is very short notice. I've not had any heads-up from the other side that there was a plan to try to push a meeting this quickly, for Thursday or Friday. I have a very, very significant fundraising breakfast for the Autism Society in Edmonton on Saturday that I'm involved in planning. I'd really prefer not to have a meeting on Thursday or Friday this week.
Hopefully we can find a spirit of compromise and come up with a date that actually works for everybody and that gives us a shot at getting witnesses from both sides--if what we're looking for is a fair hearing on this.