No, because right now what is contained within this bill that's before us is that all those members will reside in the national capital region—all of them. So there's no representation from British Columbia or Atlantic Canada or the Prairies.
Now, we live in one of the most geographically complex nations on earth, with probably the greatest transportation challenges on the planet, and we're putting everybody in Ottawa, assuming, essentially, that the folks who would be applying for these positions are people who are interested in living in the national capital region. I would profoundly disagree with the parliamentary secretary that people from British Columbia aren't qualified, people from the prairie provinces aren't qualified, and people from Atlantic Canada or Quebec aren't qualified.
What we would be getting would be the most effective, best possible people for the job, and those people would be in the regions. They'd actually know what's going on, on the ground, with the various transportation modes in British Columbia being substantially different from the transportation challenges in the north or in Atlantic Canada.
Or even in Quebec.
My motion offers people the possibility of living at home, in Quebec, in Montreal, in Vancouver. They’re in the industry and they understand the needs and challenges in terms of transportation and they are able to respond to them.
This is a reaction we’re seeing more and more often in the regions of Canada. People are tired of seeing decisions being made in Ottawa, in a limited way, and often solely in Ottawa’s interest. My proposal is aimed at strengthening the work and the mandate of the Agency in the regions, by putting its reliance on a solid understanding of regional realities. I don’t think that’s a lot to ask.