I'm going to echo a bit of what Mr. Julian said. We'd be glad to entertain the notion of a study. I'm glad this study would follow the study we're working on currently, but I have to say I'm disappointed that we can't have a good discussion at the end of this meeting. I think it's disrespectful to the witnesses.
The study itself is a good idea but, as Mr. Julian said, there's a lot that doesn't need to be in there if we want to do a serious study. If we really want to look at the economic benefits of Alberta's energy sector, we don't have to put all of this witch hunt stuff in there. If it's going to be looked at by the public as a serious study into the economic benefits of Alberta's energy sector, I'm all for it. I think Alberta's energy sector is a big contributor to the Canadian economy. The oil and gas sector, in particular, is important to the entire nation's economy, and to Alberta's economy, and I think it gets cheapened by putting partisan attacks in there.
Personally, that's my take on it. I would hope you would reconsider and put this motion at the end, so that we can have a good discussion on it and let our witnesses be heard.
There's a big challenge to the Canadian economy right now, and that's innovation. With the fact that we're becoming an energy superpower, we have to look at how we can use that status to drive innovation. That's why our witnesses are here today.
I find it disappointing that we're getting distracted from our study by things that are perhaps politically expedient but don't help the committee's work.