I don't want to cut into the time you're talking about the BIA.
I just want to recommend a small change to the motion that was passed here unanimously, inviting the Minister of Indigenous Services to the committee. He's apparently unavailable for the next 177 days. However, we have the officials from the department coming on the 28th of this month.
I would like to request that in the absence of the minister, the invitation be extended to parliamentary secretary, instead of the officials. I will quote from the Prime Minister's website on the guide for parliamentary secretaries. Under point 4, “Standing Committees”, the second bullet point says, “In the absence of a minister, [the parliamentary secretary's role is to] explain and defend the minister's position before the committee.”
I request that this be done for this particular meeting.
Thank you.