Thank you.
In that case, what I want to speak to is this: I don't support this motion.
I think it's very clear from the broad scope laid out in this motion that some of the member's intent is to continue to create as much of a fishing expedition here as possible. The number of different departments and ministers' offices that are listed.... Despite having had the opportunity today to speak directly with the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and the senior leadership of both the CIB and BC Ferries, we still find ourselves in a position where, seemingly, our honourable colleagues are not satisfied with the answers given. They don't seem content with these autonomous agencies having arm's-length relationships with both the provincial and the federal governments.
BC Ferries is a provincial entity that has no relationship with the federal government other than Transport Canada's regulatory authority. It seems very much that the intent here is a willingness on the part of our colleagues to use BC Ferries as a political cudgel and to undermine the future effectiveness of the service and the impact it has in British Columbia, in B.C. communities, in the B.C. economy and all of that. Our colleagues are willing to put this at stake to try to make political hay in an effort to embarrass the government.
This motion, I regret to say—especially as it's coming from a fellow member from British Columbia—is not in the best interest of our province. It's not a motion that supports the infrastructure and services British Columbians rely upon. It is a motion that seeks to serve the political interests of the member's party at the expense of British Columbians. I suggest that is not acceptable, Mr. Chair. I suggest it's an irresponsible motion that casts a wide net in a fishing expedition, one attempting to find information additional to that which has been provided in the last five and a half hours of committee before us.
Therefore, I don't support this motion, Mr. Chair. I think it is an effort to drag out this committee's work rather than allow us to go forward and produce the study we initially agreed upon in our last meeting.
I hope my colleagues will agree that we are not well served by extending this process in the way that has been proposed. Rather, we should allow the analysts and the committee to move forward in producing a report that will indicate how, in future, we can ensure that procurement decisions with federal government support are taken in such a way that they support Canadian jobs and industry and meet the critical needs of Canadians and our constituents with the vital infrastructure we are expected to be investing in.
I'll hold it there. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.