Mr. Chair, we can put an end to this entire discussion on speaking order by accepting Mr. Aubin's amendment. We have an hour left in this meeting. Personally, I think discussing the same thing for three meetings in a row is a problem.
The government side proposed that all its members have an opportunity to ask questions. That is covered in Mr. Aubin's motion. The Liberal Party said this committee had a principle of giving the third and fourth parties at least a second turn. That is established. The only change Mr. Aubin is proposing is that the NDP, the official opposition party, begin the second round.
I think Mr. Galipeau's original proposal was a very good one, but there is obviously a flaw. There are 26 minutes between the first time and the second time the official opposition gets the floor. So, for a half-hour, while witnesses are being questioned, the official opposition does not get a chance to speak. It is a matter of fairness. I think everyone would agree that making the official opposition wait a half-hour to take the floor after its first opportunity to speak takes away from the normal exchange of ideas that should take place between the official opposition and the government side.
I realize that this is not ideal for anyone. There are still 21 minutes during which the NDP, the official opposition, cannot speak. But rather than discuss this for a fourth meeting or waiting for the fall to set a schedule, we all need to make some concessions. We all need to accept a proposal that may not suit every single one of our needs but that is still a very good compromise. It is a compromise that is in keeping with Canadian tradition.
I am asking all the members at this table to support what is reasonable and what represents a good compromise, even though I am not 100% satisfied. I think Mr. Aubin put forward a proposal that accommodates everyone.