I appreciate the interest the members opposite have in making sure we honour and support Mr. Laframboise; however, it shouldn't be at the expense of having the minister appear before the estimates are deemed.
Whatever flexibility will be required of this committee to entertain the minister on the estimates.... I don't care when you have the meeting, but we have to meet the minister before we deem the estimates. Ultimately it takes the power away from the committee to speak to the estimates if they are deemed reported as they stand.