Thank you for that intervention, Mr. Chair. I'm finding it more and more difficult, as we continue talking about the subamendment, to bring anything new to the table. We're hearing the same arguments from both sides. However, there is one thing I would like to address.
Earlier we heard some comments that there is already legislation in place. That is one of the reasons, I guess, that the NDP opposes this. They have said that we can stop someone from travelling overseas.
That was actually through the Combating Terrorism Act. Conservatives did bring that forward. The NDP voted against it. Then they're sitting here today using that as something in their pocket as the reason we shouldn't proceed with this new legislation. They don't want to hear it at committee. They're trying to delay by opposing...I mean, 50, more than 50 individuals will come before this committee to provide testimony.
What is also interesting is that I think once this legislation does pass, in a couple of years from now there will be some of us still sitting at this table and we'll hear the same arguments. They will be talking about how the anti-terrorism act has been able to help in the threat against terrorism, about how we have these powers in place. I think they may regret trying to delay this and obstruct this bill coming to this committee.
Canadians expect the government to bring forward measures to protect their national security and their interests, to keep their community safe and their families safe. This legislation is clearly aimed at terrorism. They expect the government to bring it to committee, to pass the legislation, to hear from witnesses, to review amendments carefully. That is precisely what we are trying to do. We are very cooperative.
Mr. Chair, I just hope—I hope—that before the end of the day, whenever that may be, whether it be tonight at 11:59, there is some sort of agreement and cooperation from the opposite side to get on with this bill, bring it to committee, and hear the expert testimony. We keep hearing that we want to hear expert testimony. Unfortunately, we're not going to hear that until we can get an agreement on the table as to when this bill should come to committee.
I'll leave it at that. Thank you.