Mr. Chair, I'd like to raise a point of order based on the ruling that was made at the last committee meeting to entertain this motion by Mr. Rodriguez today. Clearly, Mr. Chair, the protocol and procedures established by this committee more than suggested--confirmed--the fact that there is a series of protocols that must be followed to entertain, in this case Bill C-288.
This committee has determined, first of all, that motions should be given advance notice of 24 hours, although there is an exception to that, I understand. If the motion being presented could be considered business under review or current business, it could be entertained. But quite clearly, the protocol of this committee also suggests that motions must be given in writing in both official languages. This was not done.
Mr. Chair, if I may continue, I think it's quite clear that the protocol as established by this committee was not followed. From time to time rulings are made in committees that are in error, and I suggest this one was done in all good faith. There was quite a bit of confusion at the end of the meeting in which this motion was entertained. Another committee was trying to get into the room, and this committee was just trying to complete its business. But all that being said, Mr. Chair, the end result was that a ruling was made to entertain Mr. Rodriguez's motion to start discussions on Bill C-288 when in fact his motion is, in my opinion, out of order because he did not follow proper protocol.
Mr. Chair, one may argue that protocol isn't that important to follow. I would suggest that in this Parliament, in this place, protocol is extremely important to follow. There is a reason, Mr. Chair, that under Westminster parliamentary procedures we have procedures and rules that all parliamentarians are bound to follow. The bible on procedures and practices, Marleau and Montpetit, is an extremely lengthy document, as everyone here knows.