I'm very unhappy about one thing. According to procedural rules, we're entitled to propose some amendments today. Earlier, departmental officials told us that it was too early to do that, that they didn't have enough time to analyse them. I'm quite convinced that Mr. Masse's proposed amendment would not have affected any other acts. We were short on time and I think it's regrettable that we did not have access to the retinue of law clerks who could have ruled immediately on the status of this amendment. I cannot readily accept the request for more time. To my mind, this was an improvement of the position taken in the bill. I'm convinced of that, but I will go along with the decision. I have no objections if Mr. Masse wants to withdraw his amendment. However, I do object to being told that officials only received the amendment this morning. After all, this is important. Once the legislation is adopted, it's a done deal. I'm not very happy with the way things have gone.
On June 8th, 2006. See this statement in context.