That's fine.
I would like to see this all done by UC so that we don't go through the subamendment-amendment type of thing, but Conservatives would still like to see two hours for the minister. We believe that this is a substantial and pressing issue.
There are actually a number of technical errors with respect to the legislation, and that in itself could consume some time. You don't normally see that level of errors in financial bills. In my discussions with prominent economists, lawyers and accountants, they see some significant issues. What would perhaps separate this from different invitations, where they have been of a lesser amount in terms of time, is the number of technical questions I would like to ask the Minister of Finance.
That being said, we do have a precedent of actually asking the minister to appear for two hours, but we have no ability to compel her to stay for two hours. In fact, if you look back, this committee has asked a number of times for the minister to appear for two hours, and she has appeared for one hour. We're realists, and we realize that if in fact the minister chooses to come for only an hour, regardless of what it says in our motion, that is her prerogative and her right.
With respect to the clause-by-clause, you give an inch, you take a mile, right? That's what comes to mind there. Conservatives came in good faith, not to help the Liberal government but because we believe Canadians need this information to sort their own affairs, as the deadline of June 25 looms. We did propose a prestudy, which might be unprecedented, so to now ask for a clause-by-clause date prior to our even seeing the legislation, I think, is a bridge too far, to be candid.
My colleague Mr. Chambers was even agreeable—and I might even disagree with him on that—to put in a reasonable clause-by-clause date. Mr. Chambers is much more diplomatic than I am. Conservatives are significantly challenged by putting in a clause-by-clause date before we have legislation. That, I believe, would also be unprecedented.
I would counsel, to the extent that you would accept any of my advice, to quit while you're ahead. Take your victory. Conservatives have no plan, no intention, to obstruct the capital gains legislation going through committee. That is evidenced by our willingness to prestudy it.
Like I said, I would counsel the good folks on the other side to quit while they're ahead.