Mr. Chairman, I will support Mr. Bell's motion. I would however just like to come back to the explanation you provided. I like working as a team, and that has always been how we have worked on the Standing Committee on Transportation. We have a minority government, and it is not an easy situation.
Mr. Chairman, I am trying to follow your train of thought. You said you discussed the situation. However, you did not talk to me. I am one of the committee's vice-chairmen. I was not present for that discussion and I want you to know that.
When Canada Post last appeared before this committee, we chose not to call its representatives at the same time as representatives for the retailers and the unions because negotiations for a collective agreement were ongoing at the time. We had to be careful with regard to the questions we asked.
Today, the Conservative Party, through Mr. Fast, is tabling a motion which will directly affect the collective agreement negotiations, and the cases l before the courts. You tell us that we should not get involved in the issue of security. I don't quite follow your argument. I just want to be sure that we understand each other.
I respected our commitments to Canada Post, I agreed to hearing the witnesses separately and at different times. I even decided not to ask certain questions so as not to affect the cases before the courts or the negotiations between Canada Post and its employees. I have tried to respect all those commitments.
But today, you, the Conservatives, are tabling a motion which completely contradicts what you said at the last meeting. You decided not to hear witnesses on the issue of security because that would lead to problems. I hope we will be able to work out a friendly understanding.
Speaking for myself, I want to get to work, I want us to move forward and I want to respect everyone. But I'm a little disappointed. I did not think you would give us the reason you did today. I thought it was because the witnesses were not available for any number of reasons, and that we found out about this at the last minute. So it's news to me when you say that you discussed the matter and that you would rather not hear from them. That is why I will support Mr. Bell's motion. I would have preferred us to discuss the issue together beforehand, on the phone, and to know the reason for the decision. Otherwise, since we have witnesses here today, I think we should hear from them out of respect.