Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Thériault, for introducing this proposed amendment.
I understand where you're coming from, but my concerns are on a couple of different levels. But for the pandemic, there would have been a review undertaken already with respect to Bill C-14, as was required by the legislation. It's unfortunate that it wasn't able to go ahead in a timely manner, but we all know the reasons why, and I don't think anybody really takes issue with it too strenuously, at least I hope so. To the extent that this amendment is in response to that delay, I think it's unnecessary.
On another level, I think it may be a bit overzealous in the sense that if we were to apply a one year-review criterion to every piece of legislation that this committee or other committees pass, that's all we would spend our time doing—reviewing legislation that has been passed within the last 12 to 18 months, which speaks for itself as being unnecessary.
My understanding is that there's going to be a review taking place—likely as soon as early in the new year. By necessity—and I think we just heard this confirmed—that will include all aspects of this legislation, including many of the issues, if not all of the issues, that we've been talking about during the course of the last eight meetings. In addition to that, we'll be discussing and reviewing other aspects of the legislation as well, which will necessitate and involve further widespread consultation.
All of this is to say that, although I appreciate your amendment and I empathize with your motivation, in the circumstances we're currently in it's unnecessary, on the one hand, and on the other hand, it may be placing too heavy an obligation on this committee.
Thank you, Madam Chair.