Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to congratulate Ms. DeBellefeuille for her good work. Since she began sitting on the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, I have heard nothing but good things.
For my part, this is my first day on the committee and I hope to be up to the challenge.
I also understand Mr. Tonks' position; I believe it is legitimate. However, so that both parties can arrive at a consensus and although I believe this motion to be important, I think that there are too many witnesses. I would like to move an amendment to Ms. DeBellefeuille's motion so that we only convene as witnesses the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of the Environment, the former Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, and the former Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable John McCallum.
I think that that would be sufficient to allow us to debate this topic. This occurred under two governments, and the negotiations took place under the former government. I therefore think that it would be important to hear these witnesses, who would explain what happened.
That is the proposal I am making to you. I don't know if you'll accept it, but that is our position on the government side.