I am ready to rule. Obviously, the fact that this motion has been moved has caught the Chair by surprise. I wish to thank members for their patience. I have carefully considered what jurisprudence is available and all the circumstances under which this debate is being held. For the information of members, the relevant Standing Order 81(4)(a) reads:
At the conclusion of the time provided for the consideration of the business pursuant to this section, the Committee shall rise, the estimates shall be deemed reported and the House shall immediately adjourn to the next sitting day.
As present chair of the Special Committee on the Modernization and Improvement of the Procedures of the House of Commons and as the chair of the previous incarnation of that same committee, I have grave doubts that the present motion is in the spirit of the kind of debate that that committee originally intended.
That being said, as I indicated earlier, the subject of these debates will again be discussed in our committee. As such, I am prepared to accept this amendment at this time and allow it to go forward with the reservations I have expressed. It is my firm view that I cannot accept it as a precedent in the circumstances. The debate will resume on the motion.
The hon. member for Crowfoot moved the motion, but his time has lapsed, so I will now go to the government for debate.