Absolutely, Madam Chair. I will also be asking for a ruling on whether or not this amendment is in order.
In light of the testimony given, it is clear that the bill could overstep the existing constitutional framework. Some witnesses questioned whether this was so. We received opinions and comments from different provincial governments. As legislators, we have the authority and the duty to taken these comments into account when framing this legislation.
Essentially, this is the aim of the proposed amendment to clause 4 which would exclude from the scope of the act activities carried out in any facility regulated, operated or funded by a province. In so doing, we would be dispelling a number of legitimate concerns raised by researchers in particular who operate university labs, as well as by the provinces that are involved in—and we have written proof of this fact—in a number of regulatory and oversight activities. Basically, that is the aim of this proposed amendment.
Madam Chair, I respectfully request that you ask my committee colleagues whether or not they deem this amendment to be in order and whether they wish to consider it?