Thanks very much, Chair.
I have a couple of quick points of clarification for my friend Mr. Laframboise. He talked about the Conservatives filibustering. I can assure him that debating this for only an hour and a half or two hours is, at least in my view, not a filibuster.
I think those who have sat on this committee before would know that since I spoke for approximately six and a half hours at one time, straight, on the in-and-out scandal, I'm fully conversant with not only the theory but also the practical application of filibusters. For me, the next 30 minutes will certainly not be a filibuster in any way, shape, or form. It will merely be talking.
I say that, and I'm going to be quite honest with everybody here, because I'm planning to talk this out, pure and simple, for one reason and only one reason. I'm not saying that we are against this whatsoever; it's simply the manner in which it was presented to us without notice. That's still within the rights of the member who presented it, but quite frankly, I want to go back to my House leader—and I'm his parliamentary secretary—and do a consult with him, because I believe the House leaders were making some progress.
There's no question, as Mr. Reid previously mentioned, that if the motion in its original form is put to a vote and all opposition members vote in favour of it, it shall be done. Let's admit it. We're outnumbered on this side, and I understand that. I appreciate that. I'm not going to try to obfuscate and I'm not going to try to filibuster based on the motion itself. I'm merely suggesting that I have a considerable problem with this in the manner in which it was brought forward.
The motion itself talks to the fact that it is going to be a change to the standing order for the Business of Supply in the period not ending later than March 26--on and on and on--in 2011. We have the time. There are approximately six meetings left to deal with this, and I think we can certainly discuss this issue at a future meeting, at which time all of us would be better prepared.
Therefore I'm going to entertain, or at least move a motion right now, to adjourn. If we don't, that's fine. I'll come back and I'll keep talking for 30 minutes. It's strictly up to the committee, but I move to adjourn.