Hon. Lucie Moncion: Would Senator Plett take a question?

Senator Plett Yes.

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?

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:

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-13(2), I move:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Is leave granted, honourable senators?