Yes. She can't make it. Totally out of the picture for her.
In terms of main estimates, everybody has had the main estimates for some time now, so if you have to find a replacement, please ask the replacement to be knowledgeable about the main estimates.
Members of the committee, you know that as committee members we do not have the power to summon the minister. We can go to the House and put a notice of motion saying we asked the minister to come, and she didn't come--and we can put political pressure. But we have this date.
What I would suggest we say to the minister is yes, we would like her to come, because the officials really cannot answer all the questions. We might have questions for the minister that only the minister can answer. So if you want, we will try to do it two-pronged. We could ask the officials to come, and the questions they cannot answer we get the minister to answer. We keep the minister for May 30.
I think there was a suggestion that if we're going through the estimates and we find very pressing things that need a response from her, perhaps we can write and see if she can get the response from her ministry ASAP. Is that agreeable?
I know people are a little upset, but what choice do we have? We have no choice.
So I will proceed with asking the clerk if she can get the officials to come, and we will ask the minister to appear before us on May 30, which is a Wednesday. So if you have a replacement, please apprise them of it.
Thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.