I don't want to get that wrong, Mr. Chair. I think it's a two-hour debate when it goes back into the House.
We will take part in that debate, and based on what we hear, we're then prepared to vote on the legislation that Mr. Shory has put forward. There is no way in that process we would try to prolong or put any obstacles in the way, because you are absolutely right, every private member has the right to bring forward legislation, have it go through the process, and have it voted on in the House.
You know, we're looking forward to that and we will participate in that in a fulsome way, both in the debate at third reading, as well as in the voting procedure that takes place.
I can tell you, we're not planning to sit on our hands during that debate, because we believe that private members' business needs to be treated as seriously in the debate process as we do with any government legislation, because that is the only legislative tool that is open to members who are not members of the cabinet and who are not parliamentary secretaries.
Because we feel that the government, the majority, has had an opportunity to address amendments and deal with all those things right here at committee and has not used that time, I do not think it's right to reward bad behaviour with extended timelines. That's one of the things I try to work on with my kids—not only my own kids, but the students I have taught over the last 30-plus years.
One of the key elements for me is that if you do not use the time you have, then to come forward and ask for an extension is a little bizarre, to say the least. It would be like a student saying to me that he didn't do his homework last night because he went out to play, so maybe he should get some more time. I would have to have a serious conversation—