Thank you, Chair.
I appreciate the importance of this issue. Chair, I supported the motion that we debated in the House, which we voted on last night, because I believe there isn't a more serious decision that Parliament can make than sending members of the Canadian armed forces to war. Members of Parliament and senators have to struggle with the consequences of that kind of decision.
It strikes me that ensuring that one of the key symbols of our Parliament—the flag on the Peace Tower—reflects the kind of concern we have for the decision we made and the resulting consequences of that decision—deaths of Canadian soldiers overseas—is an appropriate action for us to take.
I also believe that the other piece of the motion that called for a moment of silence when a Canadian makes the ultimate sacrifice overseas while doing work we've asked him to do is even more important for us as members of Parliament to undertake.
That's my bottom line on this, Chair. I'm not unhappy with the decision that was taken by the House last night. I don't believe there's a huge problem with how flags are half-masted in Canada. It seems people understand those protocols. People do it in different ways in different parts of the country for different reasons. We do it in very particular practices developed around the flag on the Peace Tower here in Ottawa.
I don't know that there have been any concerns raised about what we do with showing respect by half-masting the flag on the Peace Tower. They certainly haven't been raised with me over the years I've been here, Mr. Chair.
I really don't think I'm prepared to see this committee undertake this kind of study at this time, because I just don't believe there is an issue. In fact, what I'd be prepared to do is suggest that the committee reaffirm the decision made by the House last night.
My understanding would be that Mr. Abbott has put the motion that he originally moved back on the table, and I would move an amendment to it that replaces everything after “committee on Canadian Heritage” with “affirm the position taken by the House of Commons on April 2, 2008, when it passed the following motion”. Then the text of the motion we passed in the House last night would appear, and there'd be a final phrase, “that the Chair reports the motion to the House”.
I'd move that amendment now, Chair. I have it written out here, too.