I will call the House back to order. In consideration of Mr. Nerysoo's point of order, first of all, I want to indicate to Members that, in the past, there have been a number of times where amendments have been put forth when bills were being presented to this House, along with amendments to particular motions in this House, debate has been pursued, and at the last minute amendments have been withdrawn. I have considered there may have been precedence set with regard to this in the past.

However, I also recognize that never at any point has a Member called a point of order on these proceedings. Therefore, there was no need for a ruling. I feel since there has been a point of order, the chair should address the issue. Looking at Beauchesne's 696, under withdrawal of amendments, it indicates, "After the question on an amendment has been proposed from the chair, that amendment can be withdrawn only with unanimous consent at the request of the Member who moved it."

The chair had some problems with the definition of a "question" because when we put forth a motion, and I indicate to the motion that question is being called, do we determine whether "question" as being when the motion is being called for a vote or is it the issue being put forth on the floor of the House? This is why we wanted to take a break.

In reviewing the parliamentary dictionary, "question" is interpreted as a matter which is to be or is being determined by the House, or a committee. A question may not be debated until it has been proposed from the chair, until it has been read or stated to the House or committee by the Speaker or the chairman. Generally speaking, a question is founded on a motion moved by a Member. Once an individual or a Member puts forth a motion that is considered and interpreted as a question.

Therefore, under rule 696, I have to indicate to this House that Mr. Nerysoo does have a point of order. It is only with unanimous consent at the request of the Member who moved it that we can withdraw this motion to amend Bill 19. I will place you back into committee of the whole with Mr. Whitford in the chair.