Mr. Chair, I'm not appealing to the member opposite as chair. I respect that the chair's job is to mediate this meeting, not the parliamentary secretary.
I'm asking for an answer, and I ask it respectfully. With all respect, Mr. Chair, if through some power of understanding you discern an answer there, I'd be happy to go with that. I haven't got the answer. The only reason for my repeating the question is to ascertain an answer.
I think it's a fair question. I don't ask it disrespectfully. I'm using my job as a parliamentarian for my constituents. And this is the role I have for Parliament, as an opposition critic, to fulfill. This is the only place I get to fulfill it.
With the greatest of respect to Mr. Jean, I have the minister for a very few minutes, and this has been the only time since the program started. I think it's an appropriate question asked in an appropriate manner, and I rely on the chair to uphold my ability to do that.