Mr. Speaker, in Quebec we have a very democratic process when it comes to consulting, to parliamentary committees. The rules compel the government to publish advertisements in newspapers saying “A committee has been struck to study such and such a topic. If you want to have an input, register with the committee's secretary by such and such a date”.
Here in Canada, people are so afraid of democracy that it takes a vote by the government majority to decide who will be called as a witness. Witnesses have to be sponsored by a party, and there is a limit on the number of individuals or groups who can come and testify here.
In view of the significance of the issue for Canada as a whole, as the Prime Minister said, I believe ads should be published in every Canadian newspaper saying that a bill has been introduced, and that there will be hearings in the provinces that have asked the committee to come. It should take the time to consider the bill properly if it is really serious about the future of this country.