National Defence committee  To address the issue, allow me to say the following. The motion that the sitting be suspended can be moved. It can be treated the same way as a motion to adjourn. Then the chair uses their discretion as to when to resume.

National Defence committee  Yes. If you vote yes, the decision of the chair stands. The question is, shall the decision of the chair be sustained? Madam Chair, we have 5 yeas and 5 nays, so it's your decision.

National Defence committee  There were five yeas and five nays.

National Defence committee  Yes, and in the event of an equality of voices, the chair's decision is sustained. (Ruling of the chair sustained)

National Defence committee  To answer your question, Mr. Spengemann, the words used by Mr. Marques are, “Thank you very much for your note. Unfortunately, I'm not available to attend.”

National Defence committee  The motion as amended is as follows: That the Standing Committee on National Defence, concerning its study of addressing sexual misconduct issues in the Canadian Armed Forces, including the allegations against former Chief of Defence Staff Jonathan Vance and Admiral Art McDonald, summon Elder Marques to testify as a witness; that the witness appear individually for no less than two hours; that the meeting be held in public and be televised; and that the witness testify within seven days of this motion passing and that the date of the report be not changed.

National Defence committee  Madam Chair, just to clarify, on both occasions Mr. Marques has not declined. He just said that he was not available on those days.

National Defence committee  If I may, Madam Chair, the question will be, “Should the decision of the chair be sustained?”, so it's a “yes” if you would like the decision to remain the same.

National Defence committee  The question is this: shall the ruling of the chair be sustained? (Ruling of the chair overturned: nays 6; yeas 5 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

National Defence committee  We're going to suspend until we are comfortable.

National Defence committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to say that the information that was provided was based on the time that needs to be allocated to each of the steps that precede the adoption of a report in committee and the tabling of the report in the House before the House adjournment in June.

National Defence committee  If I may add, if the motion is adopted, we will move on to the next item on the agenda.

National Defence committee  Madam Chair, both Mr. Marques and Mr. Nieuwoudt were not available to appear today before the committee. I have not suggested any other date.

National Defence committee  The question is on the motion to adjourn the debate.

National Defence committee  Three times.