At the outset, let me say that I think Mr. Siksay has always conducted himself with the greatest of respect, and this motion is not meant to contradict that in any way. In fact, quite the contrary. As I look at the motion as written, it would permit in the first two rounds Conservatives to have five interventions for five members. Mr. Siksay and his party would have one intervention for one member, which is perfectly mathematically commensurate with the makeup of the committee.
There has been a change since the last time this committee was convened. That change was the election. During that election, the Canadian people apportioned a different makeup to this committee. That makeup is represented by increased Conservative presence. This motion merely gives the Conservatives the same per-member questioning time as the other members have, including the NDP.
Actually, the only difference is that the NDP's intervention will be seven minutes, whereas the vast majority of Conservatives--four out of five, or 80%--would have only five minutes to intervene. So we would be prepared to entertain but we would not insist upon a motion to correct that inequity. But failing a motion coming forward from our opposition colleagues, we would be prepared to proceed in a selfless fashion.
Thank you.