Thanks very much, Chair.
Very much like Mr. Desjarlais, I believe that it's imperative for us to have full sway and full consensus as we work on the important matters this committee deals with. Over the past number of months that I've been part of this committee, I have had the privilege and honour to work with all members, regardless of party, to come together to build that consensus and find ways to move forward to tackle the issues that public accounts is tasked with in our government and our Parliament. Time and time again, I have had to remind you, Chair, and remind committee members, that we are willing to play ball here.
Can we please have a say in when meetings are called and have an understanding as to who the witnesses are? We are trying our very best to work with the committee to ensure we are doing what taxpayers—Canadians—want us to do. It is getting increasingly difficult for us on our side. I won't speak for members in other parties, but it's becoming more and more difficult for us, when we are in our constituencies trying to do important work for our constituents, to have a say in when meetings are held and which witnesses are called when that's done without any regard for what the rest of the committee wants.
I would not have wanted this motion put forward, because I personally thought there was a general understanding as to how we operate as a committee. In fact, it's sad that we have to put this motion forward. However, I fully support it because that's the nature of how parliamentary committees work. We should be able to operate with consensus while ensuring that every party has representatives and an equal say in which witnesses are called and when meetings are held.
Trust me, Chair, it's not just you. We all care about what issues are discussed in this committee, and we want to work with you. I'm really hoping that all members of this committee support this motion, because it is important for how we function as a non-partisan or multipartisan committee that cares about the public and the issues the public is interested in.
I'll stop there and express my support for this motion.