Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
For about 15 hours over the course of three meetings, we've heard from members of this committee and many substitutes who have carried the debate—the filibuster—over those many hours and days.
We have the amendment that Mr. Angus has moved and, of course, the main motion; both are to be voted on. The opportunity to move expeditiously to deal with this amendment and with the main motion, and to allow this committee to do its work is important. I think that if there were a point to be made by members of the Liberal Party, the point has been made. Their objection is definitely a matter of public record now, but there does come a point when we need to advance the business of this committee. I see that a number of motions have been put on notice.
The members of this committee have given various reasons for the days-long debate. One of the reasons was that the House leaders would have to have a discussion about the work we're doing. I can tell you that for a period of successive days—we'll close in on a week this week—our House leader's office has reached out to the government House leader's office on this issue, and a proposal has been made. The response from the government House leader's office has been that, “We have no response”. There was no counter-proposal, no claim that there was no room to negotiate or that their position was firm, just simply, “We have no response”.
If we're locked up at the House leader level; that is, that the government House leader refuses to dialogue with the House leader for the official opposition, and that's what the Liberal members of this committee are waiting for, resolution at that level, well, it doesn't sound as if it's coming. I think that members are going to need to vote based on the merits of the motion. If they don't believe it is meritorious, then they should vote against. If they believe there is merit to the motion, perhaps if the amendment carries and then they support the motion as amended, then they should vote to support that.
Mr. Chair, after three days and 15 hours, and starting another week, another meeting, I ask if you could canvass the committee to see if there's a will to call the question on the amendment.
Thank you.