Are we ready for the vote?
I can see what's going to come here.
Those in favour of Mr. Godfrey's amendment L-18, so signify.
It's a tie vote, five to five.
Some of you who have seen tie votes in the House, which I've seen, will know that when that happens, as in committee, the Speaker, or in this case the chair, does not decide on the basis of his own opinion, but in keeping with procedure. The procedure would be to maintain the status quo. In other words, the chair votes to maintain the status quo.
So if we were talking about whether a clause that is already in the bill should stay in it, the chair would vote for the clause. If we're talking about an amendment that would change what already exists, the chair must vote against.
So the motion is defeated.
(Amendment negatived)