The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Wallin, did you have a question in there?
Hon. Lucie Moncion: Would Senator Plett take a question?
The Hon. the Speaker: Are senators ready for the question?
Hon. Leo Housakos: Senator Loffreda, will you take a couple of questions?
Senator Loffreda: Always my pleasure to take your questions, Senator Housakos.
Senator Housakos: Will the senator take another question?
Senator Loffreda: Yes.
Some Hon. Senators: No.
The Hon. the Speaker: I’m sorry, Senator Dupuis, but Senator Marshall’s time has expired. Would you like to ask another question?
Senator Dupuis: As always, yes.
[English]
The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Marshall, are you asking for five more minutes to answer questions?
Senator Marshall: Yes.
[Translation]
Senator Dupuis: Thank you for your answer, Senator Marshall. I understand very well the idea of creating a fairly large group with broad representation to review the entire system. You mentioned a government initiative. Do you believe that the Senate, in one way or another, would have a role to play? For example, could the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance perhaps undertake this kind of reflection?
[English]
Senator Marshall: A number of individual senators on the Finance Committee have been promoting it and encouraging it, and we’ve included it in our Finance Committee reports. I would like to see more senators talking about it. If we did that, then maybe government would edge itself toward undertaking something or at least considering it.
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Hon. Renée Dupuis: Would Senator Marshall take a question?
[English]
Senator Marshall: Yes, of course.
[Translation]
The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Marshall, your time has expired. I know Senator Loffreda has another question. Are you asking for more time so that you can take his question?
Is leave granted, honourable senators?
The Hon. the Speaker: Leave is not granted.
The Hon. the Speaker: Do we have agreement on a bell? The vote will take place at 9:31. Call in the senators.
(2130)
Motion agreed to and bill read second time on the following division: