Before turning to statements by members, I wish to inform the House that an error occurred during the recorded vote on the motion of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to proceed to orders of the day earlier today.
More specifically, the name of the hon. member for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia was called when it was actually for the hon. member for Shefford. The name of the hon. member for Shefford was subsequently called, but that vote was counted twice. This error created a tie that resulted in my deciding vote being cast in the negative, in favour of continuing with the proceedings, that is, continuing with the routine proceedings then under way.
There was no tie vote. The motion should have been adopted by a vote of 24 yeas and 23 nays, and the House should have proceeded to orders of the day. I wish to apologize to the House. I have instructed the Clerks to correct the journals so that the official account reflects the House's real decision.
I thank members for their attention.