Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll be brief.
I wasn't sure I wanted to speak, but I can't help at least point out how, in the context of our committee's work, we are witnessing a monumental waste of time, when we have an important study before us, namely the education continuum.
We don't need to go back to the days of Mathusaleh. What happened is quite simple. A Conservative member, Larry Brock, made it very clear that a minister should not give a French answer to an English question. Since the minister's mother tongue is French, he has every right to express himself in French. That member, and I think we all agree that he made a mistake, should apologize to the House. It's as simple as that. That's what the motion requests.
I call on my colleagues to put an end to this circus that we've been observing here, at the Standing Committee on Official Languages, for three meetings now. This circus has gone on long enough. I say that with all due respect to Mr. Dalton. I find it fascinating to hear his comments on history, but it can be done without mobilizing the resources of the House as we are doing.