First, we are not talking about eliminating other issues. We could agree right away on having a meeting next week with department officials, perhaps even with the minister, and the negotiators. Proposals were submitted to the industry and they were asked if they approved those proposals or not. We ourselves were not involved in this. We learned what was happening through the newspapers. I think, given what the Prime Minister said, that we have a right to be informed on the progress of this agreement.
Obviously we cannot, and would not want to, intervene in the negotiations. However, this agreement will have an impact on the Canadian and Quebec softwood industries, as well as on NAFTA. I would not object to having a first meeting next week, in camera. We could then agree as a committee on the type of work we would undertake. Again, I would not object to that.
On the other hand, this does not mean that we are eliminating other issues. The subcommittee could meet and craft a proposal on the main committee's future business. That way, there would at least be one meeting next week that would be devoted to this necessary topic.
We were told that a bill would have to be tabled in Parliament. Personally, I learned this from a reporter. Perhaps the minister could tell us whether this is true or whether it is simply a rumour coming from the media?
I would agree to having a first meeting in camera, and then deciding as a committee how we will approach the issue without creating any problems for our negotiators. It seems to me that at the very least, we need to have the information that was provided last Thursday to the provinces and to the industry.
Meanwhile, I would hope that the subcommittee would meet on the issue of future business and propose a work plan. That may involve the World Trade Organization. There are, among other things, negotiations on services.
Are we going to wait for two weeks before we begin our work? We have before us a subject that we cannot avoid. Let's meet next week in camera with the minister, if possible.