I have two questions that zero right in on the provisions in the bill, because we have to focus on it to send something back that is either amended or accepted as is. I'd ask you to keep your answers relatively short, but if you come bolt upright at 3 o'clock in the morning with “Gosh, I should have said something else”, I invite you to send us something in writing as well to flesh out this information.
One of the provisions is that the minister could require bidders on contracts for public works to “provide information on the community benefits”. Should we leave that up to the bidders alone? It occurs to me that there are three players here: the bidders, the proponent, and the community. Each one of them should actually have something to input in the whole range of community benefits that are possible.
Is the language in the bill too restricting when it just says “require bidders”?
Mr. Varone, I'll start with you.