Thank you, Chair.
Indeed, no inference was intended, but we understand that these types of discussions are ongoing. They're at different levels and maybe they were at cross-purposes, but certainly.... Indeed, that was the letter I read out last week from the government House leader Mr. Rodriguez to the other House leaders, where I think it is clear to my mind.
Don't worry. I'm not going to read it out again. It's in the record and in the public realm. Yes, indeed, on this side we would like to dispense with this as soon as we can, but we would like to make sure that it's on the record that these discussions are happening in good faith and that our government House leader has reached out to the other House leaders and that these discussions are ongoing.
We welcome the amendment on hand as a step in the right direction, as it goes to the point.
We discussed ethical principles. The law defines close relatives and the entourage of an MP. As MPs, we have the opportunity to look at ethical principles in a more theoretical way, but here we have to deal with a real and topical case. My colleague Mr. Fergus said that it will take hours of discussion before we come to understand that we must distinguish between a member of Parliament and his or her family members. It could apply to any one of us. I don't think the original intent of creating an office of the Ethics Commissioner and the Conflict of Interest Act was to target family members.
I am still having difficulty with the main motion because of its broad scope, intent, short time frame and respect for confidentiality, which is extremely important. For the moment, I agree, but I am pleased that Mr. Angus has moved an amendment so that, at the very least, we respect the fact that the brother and mother of a public figure should not be subject to investigation or oversight by our committee.
Nevertheless, it is important that we had these discussions. We cannot take shortcuts. We have to have a good understanding of things when it comes time to vote. For my part, I am in favour of the amendment as it is worded, because it is a step in the right direction.