Mr. Menzies isn't right when he talks about the government not being able to or having the right to influence spending within the library budget, because here's the government's own estimates--this is the 2008-09 plan--and it says: “Spending in the Library of Parliament is increasing by $3.0 million or 8.2%, of which $1.9 million is for the new office of Parliamentary Budget Officer.” So there we have it. We disagree with that because they've arbitrarily reduced that number from the amount that was previously agreed upon, and that is what the subject of this vote is.
Mr. Chair, is it appropriate for me to move that we proceed to the vote?