Mr. Chair, it seems to me that there are two issues raised with respect to the motion. The first is the start time. I think there have been a lot of sound arguments for delaying the start time to 3:45 p.m. Typically, question period doesn't end on time—especially on Wednesdays, of course, with the anthem in the House and other things like that. By the time you work through, you're now at a quarter after the hour or something in that range.
Of course, we're also in a temporary construction situation. If we were within the parliamentary precinct, the start time would be less of an issue than it is when we are outside it and across the street because of construction with West Block, for example. This isn't going to be an ongoing irritant for many years into the future. We just have the reality of traffic on Wellington Street and some other things to try to negotiate.
I think the start time is fair.
The other issue raised or implicit in this is how much time is needed to proceed on this. I note that we have spent 18 minutes now debating a motion brought forward by the opposition. If it's about respect for witnesses and ample time for MPs to question, I would note that this isn't the first time the NDP has brought a motion forward that takes 15 or so minutes out of the questioning time of our committees. If they want a full two hours to question, then, I would also submit to them, don't bring forward any motions.
But it's not about that. I think that's a convenient argument to try to bring us back to a two-hour meeting period. They're more than happy to have 15 to 20 minutes of debate on any motion they want to bring forward. So it's not really about respect for the witnesses and ample time for questioning.
Secondly, I would submit that in the practice of questioning, already we have established that an hour and 45 minutes is sufficient. Perhaps they want the two hours back so that they can bring in more motions to take 15 minutes out of two hours and give us an hour and 45 minutes with the witnesses.
I'm going to oppose the motion for those reasons, Mr. Chair.