I'm going to stop making this personal.
I'd like to point out that this is the second time the Conservative members have put forward a motion like this. The first time, they withdrew it. They essentially moved the same motion, which, once again, was really poorly written. I commend the honourable Bloc Québécois member for trying to make it better, but the fact remains, Madam Chair, that the motion is really poorly drafted.
I can speak only for myself, but I imagine some of my fellow members feel the same. It's not my responsibility to fix the second version of a poorly drafted Conservative motion. I'm going to do my best, in any case. Sometimes, a mistake can be corrected, but this is the second time. It's understandable to make mistakes the first time around. Everyone makes mistakes. No problem, just try again. This is the second time, though, that the Conservatives have put forward a motion that I think is problematic or that the committee deems inappropriate—not to presuppose the outcome of the vote.
What's the expression? Make a mistake once, shame on me; make a mistake twice, shame on you. Fool me once, I think the expression is.
That's precisely what's happening here. I am asking my fellow committee members, imploring them, even, to vote against this motion for a variety of reasons. We don't want to see history repeat itself, with the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics being used to conduct a witch hunt, as was the case under previous governments.
We should be bolstering the work of our independent officers of Parliament to help them do their jobs properly. We should be asking them what they need to make sure they have the tools and resources to do their jobs. I think it's crucial that we support them in their roles.
Doing so ensures they, not we, are the ones conducting the investigations into the members of the government and the honourable members of Parliament. That's the best course of action, but I know it isn't as satisfying for those with something to gain politically.
Nevertheless, that's how we should proceed because it's in everyone's interest.
Madam Chair, I'll be voting against this motion for the reasons I've just outlined. Above all, I want to make sure we get to a place where, rather than playing partisan games, the committee supports and bolsters the work of the individuals to whom the responsibility has been entrusted.
Thank you, Madam Chair.