In the previous practice I guess we didn't have a quorum, but the subcommittee would never meet with two members; that would be unheard of. We have met with three, usually when one member can't attend. In that case, a lot of times, I guess in all instances, the staff would be at the meeting, although they certainly wouldn't be able to vote and speaking would be limited. Sometimes we ask the views of the party without getting into a long discussion.
I have a little problem with it and I'll just relay my concerns. I don't have a problem with the quorum, but it says that a government member or an opposition member must attend, and if they say they won't attend, you've basically shut down the steering committee. I also point out the fact that any decisions of the steering committee have to be confirmed and ratified by the whole committee to be binding, so it can't go out on its own and take a course of action that's not approved.
Normally we publish the minutes of the steering committee and they're presented at the next meeting of this committee, and sometimes they're overturned. Most of the time they're not, but they certainly have been overruled on occasion.
Mr. Christopherson.