Thank you, Chair.
Let me repeat. It's genuinely surprising. If Liberals spent hours filibustering a bill using victim testimonies, I'd be genuinely curious about what the Conservatives would say. I guess it's easier to do this job sometimes if you don't have any shame. It's been shocking to watch what the Conservatives are willing to do to prevent Mr. Viersen from testifying for an hour. It's not like he's coming for weeks and going to be grilled for weeks. Mr. Fortin is right. He goes on podcasts quite a bit, it seems. I'm sure he's been stopped recently from going on podcasts and shouting his views from the rooftops. That's great. That's why we're here. We talk about what we believe in. However, using victim testimonials to prevent Arnold Viersen from testifying is shocking.
We could have started this bill already. We could have Mr. Viersen come later. Perhaps there are some things going on. We can have him come later, at the end of the day. I noticed on his Facebook page that he was on a hunting trip last week. He's not busy, so why isn't he here? This is important to him. I know it is. I have been hearing him talk about issues like this since 2015. For nine years, he has wanted an opportunity to do this. It's probably from the leader's office, because it takes some organization to set up a filibuster over multiple meetings. Yet, here his colleagues are, continuing to prevent this.
As a side note, I hope that, when the online harms act comes up, there's the same willingness to listen to victims. I doubt there will be. I'm predicting we'll see filibusters on the other side when that comes forward and we are dealing with the issue.
I have tried to move a motion for unanimous consent, in order to get this study moving quicker. It was denied. I sent an amendment to the clerk. I will move an amendment to the motion at the end.
The whole motion will now read:
That the Committee request an extension of 30 sitting days to the period of Committee consideration for Bill C-270,
The amendment is:
and that the Committee invite the Minister of Justice to appear for one hour on the Supplementary Estimates (B) and reinvite Arnold Viersen to appear on the subject of C-270.
I think that's reasonable. Let's get on with business. Let's get Mr. Viersen here. Let's get the minister here. Let's get on with our job. I think Mr. Fortin is right. Let's do what we're here to do. Let's help the victims. Let's move things forward. I know Mr. Brock is shocked that questions may get asked of Mr. Viersen outside of the scope of something. I don't think I've ever seen a minister appear on the estimates where the questions were contained to the estimates, but let's keep things moving. Let's do what the committee is here to do. Let's get to work. Let's study this and also have the minister appear. You can ask him whatever you want on whatever topic you like, as is your right and as is the case. Let's keep this moving.
Thank you.