Okay.
Before I go to Monsieur Bouchard, as chair I want to try to get some agreement here. I remind both sides of the following. This particular meeting has been called under Standing Order 106(4), and that standing order was established in order to call for ad hoc special meetings during the summer recess. In order for those meetings to take place, there has to be some sort of consensus on the part of all members of the committee to have that meeting.
Now, I hear a consensus about having a meeting. That's the good news. What I'm not hearing a consensus about is the date. So we need to come to some sort of agreement on the date, because both sides have a veto over the date.
Obviously the opposition has the majority of votes on this committee, so whatever motion is put, the opposition in concert can defeat or adopt a motion, if it so decides. But the government also has a veto, because the rules of the committee are clear: members have the right to debate, and there is no limit on debate. This meeting will adjourn at five o'clock. If government members so wish, they can continue this debate till adjournment.
We have quite a bit of time left. We have 40 minutes left. I hope that in the next 40 minutes we can arrive at a mutually agreeable date. I do hear consensus on the need for a second day of hearings.
We're going to Monsieur Bouchard, puis monsieur Lake, et puis monsieur Garneau.