Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm concerned about summoning witnesses. Witnesses are usually invited. They take the time to prepare their notes and to put aside their busy schedules to come. It's not easy for witnesses to speak and to answer any type of questions, because they never know where we're coming from, so it does take some courage to come, and we want them to come voluntarily. Summoning the witnesses takes it a step too far.
As I mentioned, and as my other colleagues have mentioned, we want them to come voluntarily. We want to invite them. If there is a compromise about the wording, that would be welcome.
Right now, we're hearing that committees are finding it very difficult to get witnesses to come. Sometimes it's just one, or sometimes it's none. It just doesn't bode well for the future. We want to encourage people to come and to share their expertise and their experience.
There's been so much change in how this committee has evolved this session. We've asked ministers to come, which has never been done before, or rarely. We are entertaining motions that have gone too far from our public accounts mandate. I am disappointed with the politicization of this committee, which has had a long-standing tradition of producing unanimous reports with all parties. I am sure Mr. McCauley will recall those times.