Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to my colleague Mr. Casey for highlighting some of the concerns.
I think with this amendment, the problem we're going to have is that we'll only get a written submission. We won't be able to ask questions. It may be a simply one-pager that might not outline much more than that they are proceeding with things. We need to know how far they are and if there is a holdup.
Sometimes some of these projects are, material-wise, unique. I think I was reading on the Stimson design that it has “elements of healing” and it's “the concept of the Medicine Wheel”. Its “design takes the form of a circular, sacred space of safety, a ‘home base’ of reflection, memory, and contemplation.” He has four portals. It's designed with corten steel walls that surround and protect those places. These are things that veterans, others and people like us would want to know.
Are they being formulated? Are they being worked on as we speak? Is the artist already commissioned and doing their artistic work? A lot of what would be put in place is structural in nature.
I think it is imperative that we have them here. When we have a letter only, it might fall short of what we require. Others will think of that and ask how long it's going to take. There's also a doubt raised, as my colleague said, as to whether or not they are moving forward with this and whether or not this study is delaying it. I think we would like to have clarity. My understanding is that it's not being delayed by this study; it's moving forward.
If anything, I think what we needed with this study was to figure out the process. The process has been given pretty clearly by the department. Yes, it did deviate, but that deviation was stated and a decision was made. I think everybody is aware of that. There's no secret about it; there's no deception on this. I think it's very clear. The reasons for it are also very clear and I think that's been stated.
I think an update showing how far the procurement process is.... We've seen with the House of Commons construction that certain trades are probably in high use, like stonemasonry and others. That trade would be a tough one to procure at this time. I believe there are only a handful of stonemasons in the country, and basically they're all working on this. I don't know if this particular design is using anything along those lines.
There's also a lot of bronze work, with four bronze flak jackets. Usually the artist has to do the moulds first and test the moulds. Then, subsequently, they will be made into bronze.
I think we should have them. I think it would be very important to get an update. I would probably have gone further and maybe asked that the architects, the visual artist and the coordinators—MBTW Group, Adrian Stimson and LeuWebb Projects—all come and appear. They'll have the real update based on what they've been consulted on and what they've been doing.
That would be my opinion. I think this is going to end up falling short.