Thank you, Madam Chair.
I just want to come back to the comment made just now about the number of witnesses. I understand that comparing the number of witnesses may not be the main argument. However, those 14 witnesses were on the list made up by all members of the committee. That list was surely not made up because it was nice outside; it was because those people are experts who were to come and share their concerns with us about the subject of the study. I think the fact that almost half of the witnesses scheduled, 14 people out of 34, have not yet been able to come, for various reasons cited by the clerk, speaks volumes.
I think we have to let these people have an opportunity to say very clearly whether they want to testify or not. They can simply confirm this for us. I even indicated that I was open by saying that if the witnesses confirm that they will not testify, we can simply continue with the current plan. However, we can't let almost 50% of the witnesses, 14 witnesses, precisely, who are already on the list, just fall by the wayside. It seems to me to be very important to consider those witnesses in connection with this important study.