We've had the motion read. I'll ask the clerk to walk us through the vote.
First, I'll just call for a show of hands. All those in favour of the motion, please indicate by raising their hands.
The vote is five to five. It's a tie vote. We don't need a polled vote. Let me just check with the clerk.
In exercising the casting vote here at committee, both the Speaker of the House and chairs of committees attempt to follow a kind of protocol or convention. One of those conventions, which I intend to subscribe to at this point, would allow the chair to maintain what is called the status quo. There being a motion out there and this motion having encountered a tie vote, the status quo would be to not support the motion and to allow the status quo to prevail.
I hope members will understand my logic. I will therefore cast a vote in the negative.
(Motion negatived)