I'm going to try to stick with the issue, instead of the politics that seem to have been percolating up for reasons that I don't know.
My issue, Mr. Chair--and I think I've expressed it at this committee, and I know I've expressed it at the finance committee, which I'm a member of--is the role and the issue of private member's bills, which this is. We are dealing with a private member's bill.
If this were a Conservative bill from a Conservative private member, I would be shocked that the opposition would be so keen on passing it through so quickly. They would want to do their due diligence by looking at the clauses and by having staff here to discuss them.
The fundamental problem I have--and I'm not blaming any mover of private member's bills under the present system--is that the present system allows this to happen. I think the system needs to change so that there is a legislative requirement for due diligence on these private member's bills. Government bills go through legal and constitutional issues. They go through finance, even though our opposition members may not like the numbers that they're given or they don't think there's enough. There is a rigour to the development and the presentation of laws.
Let's be frank: this becomes the law of the land. It's not a motion to say we're bad or they're good or you should do this or you should look at this; this is actual law.
My issue with it and with all private members' bills, not just this one, is that in lots of cases I don't think there is enough due diligence done to private members' bills that other bills may have.
Both sides have called witnesses to come and talk at these committee meetings. The meetings were set up. We are expecting witnesses to come back, and then we'll have clause-by-clause consideration. Will I win many of my debates at clause by clause? Let's be frank: it's not likely, but at least we'll be able to be on the record as to why I am supporting or not supporting particular pieces, just as I have that right on other private members' bills.
Of any legislation, private members' bills need--