We'll hopefully be able to do it quickly, and then we can move right back.
I'll move this motion:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs conduct a study on reports that Canadian Armed Forces chaplains have been directed by the government to restrict or cease prayer at public ceremonies; that this study be comprised of no fewer than four meetings and that the committee report its finding to the House.
It's duly on notice and I move that now.
Again, before I speak to the motion—and I'll try to keep my comments fairly brief—I want to apologize to our witnesses. Hopefully we can deal with this quickly as a committee and move back to hearing from you, because it is important. What you all have to say is very important, and we want to make sure we get that opportunity.
I've moved the motion. I think it's quite clear.
I want to remind folks of some of the words in the poem In Flanders Fields:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
I also want to remind folks of our national anthem, where it says:
God keep our land glorious and free!
I share those two things for a couple of reasons, but mainly because we have a lot of concerns that we've heard from chaplains in our military about the inability they will have as a result of the directive that I referenced in the motion—that they won't be able to pray for the fallen or pray for those who've served this country at public ceremonies such as those on Remembrance Day, which is obviously coming very soon and is our pillar of remembrance in this country. They're also concerned that it may restrict things like In Flanders Fields.
It may restrict—