Foreign Affairs committee  I wanted to establish the fact that I'm opposed, not because of the Bloc motion, but because of the McGrath committee, which in 1985 had recommended that we don't have parliamentary secretaries on steering committees. I know that had been the position of a previous party in opposition.

Foreign Affairs committee  Yes, if I may. Sorry to impose myself again. It's just that on the list, I'm not seeing.... I heard the Chamber of Commerce. Was the Halifax Initiative invited? I think there was one other that we certainly had put forward. I don't have my notes from the last meeting. We have some concerns about the bill and wanted to hear another perspective that would be brought forward by groups like the Halifax Initiative.

Foreign Affairs committee  KAIROS--thank you. Have they been invited?

Foreign Affairs committee  Just for the record, I wasn't really keen on changing the 48. I think we should keep it as it is. I think it has the potential to take away from committee members the ability to have their issues on the agenda, so to speak, particularly if we use words like “abandonment”. Notwithstanding, we can still submit the motions.

Foreign Affairs committee  That's right, a short period of time to do that.

Foreign Affairs committee  I understand.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'm just trying to follow the logic here, Chair. You were saying that in a previous parliament, when you were travelling with a committee, only two people showed up and it was embarrassing, and I grant you that. I'm not sure this deals with that. This is actually saying you'd go ahead with that kind of quorum.

Foreign Affairs committee  Sorry, can you clarify what the difference is, Dean? Thank you.