An Hon. Senator: Do it, Don.

Senator LaBoucane-Benson: Yes.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson: In your estimation, can we still give time and space to the study of a bill and start a pre‑study as well? Does one preclude the other? The government is asking us to study — without a time frame and without constraints around anything other than asking us to study. Can we do that and give time and space?

Some Hon. Senators: Suspend.

Senator LaBoucane-Benson: Would the honourable senator take another question?

Senator Plett: Only to answer that question.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted to answer the question?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator Tannas, would you take a question?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, before calling upon the next senator, I should point out that we are debating Motion No. 42, the substance of which is whether or not there should be a pre-study of Bill C-11, not the substance of Bill C-11. We have a fair amount of leeway when it comes to speeches and questions and answers, but, please, we’re debating Motion No. 42.

(2040)

Senator Simons: Thank you very much, my friend. Yes, of course, I’m well aware of the excellent work that the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples did. Was it both the languages bill and the child welfare bill?

Senator Simons: Of course, I would.

Senator Simons: With pleasure.

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Simons, I’m sorry, but before you answer, your time is expired. Are you asking for five minutes to respond?

Senator Simons: I very much hope it’s us.

Senator LaBoucane-Benson: Quickly, colleague, is the minister in this chamber? At the end of the day, who is responsible for this chamber? Is it us or is it the House of Commons?

Senator Dawson: There is a question, senator. It’s not to you because I know I would have a long answer. What happened between last year and this year that we do not want to listen to people talk about a very important subject?

An Hon. Senator: Is there a question?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): I would like to ask the senator a question if she would take one more.

The Hon. the Speaker: You have one minute.