Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
This motion is really important. Indeed, this government uses in camera hearings on a regular basis to hide the work we do in committee. However, we should be proud of that work. We raise really important topics. This committee studies ethics in all areas. At this time, there are several ethical issues at the House of Commons and in the Senate. For our part, we are not studying the issues that relate to the Senate. In my opinion, Canadians are increasingly concerned by ethical matters. If we cannot hold these debates, submit motions and ideas in full view of the public, we will not be supporting Canadians.
Moreover, it happens from time to time that closed proceedings are called for to prevent the result of a vote from becoming known. To me, this is a very important matter. My fellow citizens elected me for a reason, that is to allow me to vote in a way that represents them 100%. So, if they do not know how I vote, how can they know whether or not I represent them well? It is our duty when we vote to express an opinion that represents our fellow citizens. However, if it is neither recorded nor published, how are they supposed to know if we represent them and if we are doing our work? All too often, members are hiding behind closed doors because they are putting forward a position that is not in keeping with that of the citizens we represent. We should not be acting in this way. The NDP is going to see to it that we no longer abuse closed proceedings. And that is the intent of this motion.
In addition, Mr. Chair, motions are often introduced to have us work in camera when that is not appropriate. We should only do so for the reasons listed in this motion. If we were doing what the Standing Orders intended right from the outset, we would only work in camera for the purpose of discussing wages and other employee benefits, contracts and contract negotiations, labour relations and personnel matters, as well as documents related to national security.
Mr. Chair, our committee deals with access to information, privacy and ethics. We do not deal with matters of national security, or only very rarely. I don't think it is appropriate that our committee or several others, in particular the Environment Committee and the Human Resources Committee, work in camera because the Conservatives do not want people to know that they voted against transparency or other issues. If they are proud of their position and really think that they represent their fellow citizens well, they should not be hiding how they vote or avoiding public debate on motions we introduce or on those they present. Everything should be transparent and accessible to all. That is a fundamental principle here in the House of Commons. The transparency principle should absolutely be respected. It is really the basis of everything we do here.
The motion my colleague Mr. Angus presented is in keeping with what was required in the past. I insist that all of the members of this committee support this motion, which really constitutes a basis for transparency. We owe that to our fellow citizens who elected us and whom we proudly represent.
I will close on this Mr. Chair, and reiterate my support for this crucial motion. I will also ask all of the other members of the committee to proudly support this motion, which aims to further transparency. Thank you.