Indeed, Mr. Volpe, the minister did say he was prepared to come for two hours.
I would like to, if I may, speak very briefly in relation to the process. This particular motion came forward, and obviously each and every member of this House and committee has the right to do so, but when I had a review of when the minister has appeared, I saw that this is our twelfth meeting today. Is that correct, Mr. Chair? And he has appeared seven times where Mr. Kennedy has asked questions.
On February 12, he appeared for financial priorities of the federal government. On March 5, it was the economic stimulus package, where Mr. Kennedy asked questions. On February 10, it was supplementary estimates; on February 24, Bill C-9; and on March 24, Bill C-3. April 21 was for Bill C-7 and April 23 was main estimates. Those were two that he was going to appear at and was scheduled for except that he was sick.
What I'm suggesting, Mr. Kennedy, is that he has been here every time this committee has requested him to be here. I would suggest to you, sir, and to all members of this committee, that if they simply put the request in during the subcommittee or during the committee itself, he will try everything he possibly can to be here.
It's at just over half of the meetings we have had that he has been available to come forward, and some of them, agreed, are not transport; one was OGGO, another was finance. But indeed, if you have specific questions, and if you would like to have him appear in relation to infrastructure or other matters, certainly just bring it forward and we would be happy to make that request. You have the right to do it any way you wish.
My difficulty with this whole situation is...we've been working well together as a committee—different parties with different views and different priorities, and it's been working extremely well—and I would hate to see that change in any way, shape, or form.