Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It is now the beginning of May and we have been sitting for one month. I think we could easily agree this afternoon so that we can start our work on the recent softwood lumber agreement next week. We do not have to discuss this at length. In my opinion, it is important that the International Trade Committee look at the implications of the agreement and hear the minister, the negotiators, the ambassador, if he can come, and the stakeholders.
Furthermore, we know that a bill may be tabled over the next few weeks and I think this would give us an opportunity to make recommendations to the government before the bill is tabled or at least before it is passed and an agreement is signed with the Americans. We are talking about three months.
We would be in a position to hear witnesses on this issue as early as Monday or at the latest Wednesday, next week, in order to better understand the scope of the softwood lumber agreement, as well as its implications for the North American free trade agreement.
I am moving this.