Mr. Chair, we have a theme on the question of the numbers of people on the advisory panel. To refresh your memories as to evidence from experts and from former chief statisticians, Wayne Smith recommended a 24-member council; Professor Thomas recommended 20; and, Munir Sheikh confirmed that he thought 10, as is currently in the act, was too few, and 40 was too many, and that somewhere in there we could have something else. The expert evidence before this committee was unanimous that 10 committee members were not enough.
My third amendment again attempts—in the same section as the Conservative and NDP amendments have attempted to do it—to replace the number of people. I'm suggesting, at line 19 on page 5, replacing that with “not more than 20” other members appointed. The same issue occurs in terms of the royal recommendation issue, then, but I'm happy, if anyone wanted to amend this from the government side to adopt the different number of members, to remove my subsection related to remuneration. That's the purpose of my amendment: to be reflecting the expert evidence that the committee has heard. I think it would be a shame to see the bill going through the committee without a single additional reflection of the evidence you heard, as it appears to be doing.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.