Senator Gold: Thank you for the question and for reminding us of how things have changed since the pandemic.

Let me note for the record, if I may begin with this, that the motion before us with the language to which you referred was the by-product of extensive consultations with the leaders of all groups.

All leaders knew and understood that we were re-establishing the provisions of the hybrid motion which were in place during the Forty-third Parliament, which includes how the Wednesday sittings operate.

I also understand and am pleased that there is a strong desire by all groups to have committees established as soon as possible. I’m hopeful that committees will be operational soon.

The reality of hybrid sittings and committees is that we do not have the technical abilities to have the Senate and multiple committees operating at the same time.

I would respectfully submit that it would be unwise to put ourselves in a position where this chamber would be required to seek leave for a committee to meet if the Senate is still discussing government business in the chamber, because this might put a committee in a situation where it cannot meet if leave is denied, even if there is important government legislation before it.

More importantly, these provisions as drafted would secure committee spots and meeting times that I expect would be in place on Wednesdays.

It’s important, colleagues, that we ensure that our committees are organized, that meeting times are respected. We’ve all had the experience of being members of committees, having invited witnesses — some who come from afar and at great inconvenience — who are forced to wait and sometimes cannot even appear because the times in the chamber have been such that the committees can’t meet. I believe that the provisions in the current motion, as existed in the previous hybrid motions, remain the appropriate course of action.

Now to your question — and you’ll forgive me for that, but I wanted to put that on the record — in any circumstances, we as a chamber have the ability to be flexible. You can rest assured that our office will continue to remain flexible if circumstances so require.

For the moment, we’re satisfied that this motion before us is the right way to proceed in a hybrid sitting.

Thank you for your question.