I actually like the motion by Mr. Julian, and there is a follow-up motion on the issue--since Mr. Jean referred us to clause 5, which is on where the members shall reside. There is a proposal to change that to say that the chairperson shall reside in the national capital.
The idea of having representatives who come from the various regions, such as Quebec and Ontario, such as the Atlantic, such as British Columbia and the prairie provinces, ensures that the concerns of those areas are brought to the table. Many of us have served in other elected bodies, as we do, in fact, as members of Parliament. We reside in our ridings. Although we may think we reside in the national capital, we actually reside in our ridings, and yet when we come here, we are not supposed to vote only on what's of interest to our riding. We vote on what's good for Canada.
Whether it's a member of a municipal council who lives in a particular part of a municipality or members of a provincial government--a legislative assembly--who represent different parts of a province, when they come together, they vote in the interest of the larger body. In fact, part of the swearing-in ceremony for each of those levels is that they will take into account the interests of the corporation or the body to which elected.
I don't think there would be a problem. It would result in more focused representation. It would be recognized that there may be a cost difference, but a greater number is better, and representation by the areas is better.