We keep getting told that our questions are redundant, yet that is the first time I've clearly heard what clause 13 tries to achieve. I don't quite understand why the questions we're asking are irrelevant. That has not been explained to me, as the lead on this, at any time. It's not been in any briefing document. It was not explained by the member who moved it. I don't feel that asking those questions is redundant at all. In fact, I feel they ensure that the public is fully informed of what we're voting on and, beyond that, that we are fully informed of what we are voting on.
Mr. Chair, I'm not sure if there was a briefing we were offered that I wasn't aware of. My point is that I think this is the first opportunity we have had to fully understand—or understand even a bit—what the full implication of that is. I greatly appreciate the expertise and the very clear explanation, certainly.
I know I have about two and a half minutes left.
This saga has been going on since those infamous amendments were brought forward in November. We were asking a number of questions of the officials at that time, but I'll remind Mr. Noormohamed that he filibustered for two meetings, during which he broke down exactly what a firearm is. At no time did I laugh at him or make fun of him for being redundant. I can't speak for others, but that was not something I did.
I'll give him this: He was impressively speaking for two full meetings on his own. That's longer than I spoke in the House. I spoke for 90 minutes. He would have spoken for four hours of committee time.