Mr. Chair, I have a question. I was just told, literally five minutes ago, that we would have the officials here. I understand my time is limited already in this committee, so I think a lot of times I can wing it, but I think that for something as important as this I have to at least be prepared. I think the government officials came prepared; I would think I should be prepared. I don't have my briefing notes here from the Library of Parliament. I don't know if the Library of Parliament prepared briefing notes; I didn't see them. I think it's unfair to me and other members of Parliament. I know other members of Parliament are much brighter than I am, but I do rely on those Library of Parliament notes.
I'm not sure how long you plan on having the witnesses, but I also have a meeting set for four o'clock that I can't reschedule, because I was only told five minutes ago.
There are other reasons. The Conservatives seem to think that we don't have a critic present. I have to speak to the critic as well. The critic may want to come because we are dealing with legislation.
For those reasons, and there are other reasons, but I don't want to take up the committee's time because I didn't think we were going to devote any time to other matters, I will not be giving my consent.