Thank you.
I want to essentially say the same thing but in somewhat more specific terms. I want to thank Brigadier-General Howard for being here. It has nothing to do with you, sir; this is an internal matter for the committee.
I am very concerned about the tone of the instructions in this letter that we received. It is as if it's coming from on high and the committee is to do what it is told. The committee is the master of its own procedure. The committee can summon whomever it wishes to summon. It was kind of the minister to agree that we will have briefings from DND, but it is really not for him to decide whether or not we get briefings. We can summon people to come and give us briefings.
If we ask questions outside of the subject covered, it is up to them to determine whether or not any classified information might be revealed. We're not asking for classified information and they don't have to answer those questions. All I'm suggesting is the time limit and the limit on what questions can be asked, the limit on what subjects might be covered--all of those are unnecessary hurdles in the way of the committee being able to do its job in a fairly relaxed fashion.
It's a very serious issue, and nobody is trying to create partisan situations here. I just want to put on the record that, first of all, it was kind of the minister to provide consent. We don't need his consent to get these briefings. This committee is the master of its own work.
Secondly, I don't believe we need to be limited by the timetable or the time that the minister says we can work with those who come and make submissions. Thirty minutes is not the limit.
In this particular briefing, we'll respect that, but for future briefings, as the committee might determine in the steering committee....
I'm not part of that committee. I just want to put my position on the record in a public fashion. I just find the way this is being done very, very stifling.