I'll speak to these points.
First of all, I want to clean up the list of speakers, of which I'm sure you're one. I just want to confirm that we have Ms. Yip, and then Ms. Bradford. We also have Madame Sinclair-Desgagné.
I'm going to take a step back very briefly. We're doing what I'll call typical, regular committee business. We do have exceptional witnesses who come. It is by no means automatic. In fact, the superb team at this end have to send notices, follow up and often remind officials that they have not only a request to appear, but a statutory obligation to appear as accounting officers. Even then, it still requires some light cajoling and reminding them of their obligation to appear as a matter of law. It is by no means automatic. The clerk, in particular, is part greyhound, part diplomat, and always does a good job. He is informed wisely by the two analysts to ensure we have the proper and best witness possible.
I'll now turn to the steps we took in this matter.
First of all, I'll say, Mrs. Shanahan, that you are entitled to state and believe all of the things you did as a duly elected member of this House and a member of this committee—your concerns about witnesses and why they've been asked to appear and reservations you might have. I will say, though, that witnesses do not have that right when they are asked to come before a committee. If we extended it to witnesses, the system would break down, if we allowed witnesses to defy a request because they had a concern or an issue.
To inform members, I'll turn now to some of the reasons that I received. These are the steps that were taken. I requested witnesses from all members. They came in. Those were sent out. I then proceeded to compile witnesses based on who had made a request. There was some overlap. There were some witnesses who were requested by three parties. There were some who were requested by one or two, and I worked with the clerk to balance it out and send that list out. There was no objection to it.
The clerk then proceeded to invite those witnesses. I won't name names, but I'll say the same thing I said the other day. One witness said he was unavailable because he was overseas. I proceeded to change the date, because that witness was requested by three parties. We changed the date, we sent the invitation out, and we were just told he was unavailable and someone would appear on his behalf. Another witness has not replied, and the third has just said he has nothing to add. It is not up to the witness to decide whether or not he or she has something to add. He's been invited to appear before the committee.
That is where we're at. Since then, there has been no further communication with them. I have sought direction from this committee. Here we are, with this motion looking for direction about three witnesses who have provided either very little or no good reason, frankly, as to why they should not appear before the House of Commons standing committee.
On that, I will turn to Mr. Fragiskatos.