Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We decided to table five types of amendment. You are absolutely right in saying that there are a dozen or so amendments that are consequential to our first amendment.
Firstly, we paid heed to the argument put forward by a number of groups that it would be useful to include a definition of the word “animal” in order to move away from the tendency to treat animals as property, and that is exactly what this amendment does. Obviously, I will not rehash all of the arguments that we all heard when the witnesses appeared before the committee.
I would add that, as today is Valentine's Day, day of love and friendship, I would hope to have the support of both members from the government side and from the official opposition.