Thank you, Chair.
Thank you to my colleagues for bringing forward this motion. It's certainly an issue that is top of mind for a lot of folks. I know that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women is also doing a similar study so, obviously, the fact that two committees are now considering this shows how serious it is. I'm in agreement with the spirit of what's being attempted here. I'm not sure whether I want to specify the number of meetings, so I hope my Conservative colleagues might be open to just leaving that open and not specifying exactly that we have to have no fewer than eight meetings. Maybe we can include language “of up to six”. I know, Mr. Chair, that we're going to have a subcommittee meeting following this, so, hopefully, at that subcommittee meeting we can determine the order in which we want to do our studies.
I indicate my support for this, but before I hand the floor back, a notice was given out for a motion that I want to move later on. I just want to read it into the record:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study examining how addressing gaps in community mental health and substance use health supports, including preventative and early intervention services, can improve public safety in Canada; that both the Minister of Public Safety and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions be invited to testify separately for one hour each in this study; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
I would like the subcommittee to look at this motion as well.