"Mr. Speaker, we'd like this motion to be less wordy before we vote against it."

With that, the NDP is trying to have the government's motion to extend Canada's military commitment in Afghanistan thrown out, essentially because it is too wordy.

NDP MP Libby Davies raised the matter on a point of order after question period Monday, arguing that House rules say motions should be to the point and not make lengthy arguments.

The motion in question is 560 words long and includes a preamble setting out eight "whereas" statements.

Davies says what the government tabled is almost more like a speech than a motion. She asked the government to withdraw and rewrite it; and if it doesn't, she's asking the Speaker to rule the motion out of order.

The government insists there is nothing wrong with its motion and it has no plans to rewrite it.

The Speaker says he will take some time to review the matter before ruling on it.

The NDP indicated it has no intention of supporting the motion no matter how it is written.