Thank you very much, Chair and colleagues.
I see that Mr. Keddy has put forth a motion. He has explained why and the intention behind it, but I would like to bring it to his attention that I've received numerous requests from various stakeholders who want to take this opportunity to speak, during this bill coming before the committee...and the enabling legislation. They do want to speak to it and comment on it. I think that some of these witnesses who didn't have an opportunity to speak before, want to come before the committee and do so.
In light of that, I want to bring it to the committee's attention, with the full intention of trying to honour the timeline. We'll do our best, but I can't make any assurances. I mean, if we need additional meetings, so be it, but that can be discussed.
I don't want to take up too much time, but I do have reservations and concerns about this particular deadline. Requests have been made to me by various MPs and stakeholders who have people who want to speak to this particular enabling legislation that has been put forward to the committee and on which we're going to go clause-by-clause.
In that context, in light of the time.... I mean, if we want to have a debate on this, we can, and I can explain why further. With respect to the witnesses, we can defer this discussion until after the meeting and spend an extra 15 minutes, because we have the votes.
So whatever you guys see fit, I'm more than willing to cooperate.