—we can continue for the time being. It was tweeted by the minister at 3:07. I believe this is a matter that touches on privilege. He is specifically claiming that a particular amendment with particular provisions is coming before the committee. I don't think you can do that.
The second matter of process I wanted to raise is regarding the role of parliamentary secretaries on committee. I don't know if Ms. Chagger is still in the room. I saw that she'd popped in earlier. There was a time when, as government house leader, she made forceful arguments about the unique role parliamentary secretaries play on committees because they are representatives of the government.
I want to quote her verbatim from the House of Commons in 2017, when she was arguing that parliamentary secretaries should be present on committees but should not be voting members, and should be understood to be speaking particularly for the government.
She said the following on June 15, 2017:
This is exactly why I believe part of the mandate we've been given by Canadians is to strengthen our institutions. A parliamentary secretary not only stands in for the minister but has access to information that would benefit members of the committee.
Imagine that.
That's why I'm suggesting that the parliamentary secretary be able to share that information. They could be equal members of the committee but not vote and not move motions. That way, they could travel with the committee so that information is being shared with all committee members, which I believe would contribute to the level of discourse and decision-making that takes place here.
The challenge with parliamentary secretaries voting on committees is that oftentimes we see them as just the voice of the minister of the government of the day, and oftentimes there is this perception that you need to vote exactly the way the PS does. That shouldn't be the case.
My colleague Mr. Lawton asked Ms. Lattanzio specific questions about the position of the government. This has been described as an unreasonable insinuation by her colleagues, but this is precisely the position articulated by the former government House leader—namely, that the role of parliamentary secretaries is to speak for the government in place of them in a parliamentary context. We are all eager to hear Ms. Lattanzio do exactly that and answer the questions that have been put before her on the government's position. I understand that she said she would be speaking to it.
I'll end my remarks there, if I can be re-added to the list to make a few substantive comments as well.
I'll await her response and also your ruling on the matter of privilege, Mr. Chair.