I guess we can get under way. We have somewhat of a lengthy agenda.
I want to welcome again today witnesses from the department—Mark Davidson, Alain Laurencelle, and Karen Clarke, who are here to assist us, I would imagine, on clause-by-clause a little later on.
Our first order of business will be the motions.
I'm ready to rule on the point of order raised by the parliamentary secretary, and I want to thank members of the committee for their input on this matter.
First of all, I find Mr. Siksay's motion in order. It was reviewed quite extensively. I think the parliamentary secretary had stated in the beginning that the motion as it stood, if we were sending it to the House as is, presupposed that extensive debate and witnesses had already been conducted.
We find that reviewing, studying, examining, inquiring can mean that the committee has considered, discussed, and debated the matter even if it were only for a couple of minutes. There is no rule that says a committee must start by calling witnesses before it can report. Committee members can discuss a matter among themselves without calling witnesses and then report to the House. If a committee feels ready to report to the House without calling witnesses, it can do so.
So Mr. Siksay's motion is in order.
Now, shall the report carry?