Very well.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Proulx, I thank you very much for this clarification.
Nonetheless, the names that I mentioned are those of people who took part in the federal election which began on November 28, 2005 and ended in 2006, at around 9 p.m. on January 23 which, I should add, is Carole's birthday. During this long election campaign, lasting some 56 days, these people were candidates for a party, which was indeed the Conservative Party of Canada. This is why it is extremely important not to confuse the issue and especially not to try to downplay my colleague's motion, Mr. Hubbard, the member for Miramichi, New Brunswick. It is very well targeted.
The situation was not reported by the Liberal Party of Canada, the Bloc Québécois, the New Democratic Party or the Conservative Party itself, but by Elections Canada. This is an internationally recognized authority which foreign governments turn to for resources and knowledge which can assist them in running democratic elections. This very important authority, recognized and accepted by all, ensures respect for federal elections and the election process as a whole. Everything must take place in compliance with the law for elections to occur.
This authority noted that unacceptable even dishonest methods were used. Whether or not this issue goes before the courts we, the members of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics have the responsibility to look into the matter. If it can be said that there is one process which lies at the very heart of the Canadian system of government, it would have to be that which allows democracy to flourish, in other words the electoral process.
People within the governing party are directly affected by this situation, in that they are members of the Conservative Party. They must certainly receive orders from on high, down low and elsewhere in order to try to draw attention away from the matter. The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, I believe, had to deal with these types of issues.
Because this is an important opportunity for us to be involved in the democratic process, we want to make sure that Mr. Hubbard's motion will stand as worded, along with the amendment that was made. We want to delve into the heart of the matter.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.