Thank you, Mr. Proulx. You raise a good point.
Throughout much of our work, even back in the Mulroney work, most people thought that members of Parliament were public office holders, because it sounds right, but in fact the definition under the Conflict of Interest Act says cabinet ministers--but now it's ministers--secretaries of state, parliamentary secretaries, and order-in-council appointees. Members of Parliament are not public office holders.
Our mandate, and in fact the motion before us, is in order only to the extent that it relates to the activities of a public office holder as defined.
Mr. Nadeau, I would simply just offer that explanation to you and hope that you will keep it in mind as you continue your presentation.