To continue, my thoughts on the matter are that on this particular bill we haven't had the opportunity to do due diligence. I think it works for both sides of the House, to be perfectly honest with you, that due diligence on these items allows the proponents to say that they looked at this, this was the testimony, and this is what we agreed or disagreed with. You have some substance as to why this is happening.
To be frank with you, I am never in favour of allowing a private member's bill, on the committees I've been on, to go through the 60-day deadline or whatever that timeframe is—I think it's 60 days—and just automatically pass. I don't think that's appropriate. Private members' bills—let's be frank again—could deal with all kinds of issues that have very little research and very little understanding behind them. I've seen cases in which we've had to ask questions of movers of bills who did not know what was in their own bill and either had to look to staff or others or had to get back to us with those answers. They don't have the same eyes on them that regular government-generated bills have.
I think there needs to be an improved process for private members' bills. I prefer motions, because they ask the government to study something, and I think motions should come to committee, not just disappear. I think some changes need to be made.
In this particular case, I will not be supporting this going directly to the House, because I haven't had the opportunity to question the witnesses, including those who are going to be implementing the changes that are in this bill. I think that's a violation of my ability to do my job. The opposition like to talk a lot about how they've been violated in their ability to do their job. Well, I think this is a blatant approach to a private member's bill that doesn't allow me the ability to at least do the questioning. I may not be right, Mr. Chair, and I might not get my way in the end, but I shouldn't not be afforded that opportunity by just passing this bill through this committee today.
I think that's all I had to say, to be honest with you.