That's right.
Again, if I look at this motion, it seems that we're trying to get back with another kick at the can. The Ethics Commissioner, I think, is going to be very right when he finally appears before us to talk about his budget in his office and so on, to say that he has to put aside a special budget just for these repetitive, redundant, frivolous attempts by opposition members to drag somebody into the mud.
As a serious member of this committee, I am really taken aback that, once again, we are back discussing these points. It's very clear to me again, and I think that was a unanimous motion. If I'm correct, Mr. Anderson.... How many privilege motions...? Is that not the subject of one of the privilege motions that are before the House right now? I don't know. It seems like there's a lot of piling on in this regard. I would suggest that, for clarity and to keep things on the right path, maybe one thing at a time would be a good strategy. However, I digress.
Mr. Chair, it's clear to me that there are obligations and that we as MPs and as cabinet ministers have even more obligations. I'm happy to see the Ethics Commissioner really any time of the day or week to further explain that, because I remember, in my first round in this committee, that we were very cognizant that many members really didn't have a good understanding of their duties under the conflict of interest and ethics legislation.
People have been caught inadvertently. With regard to putting together your assets, liabilities, revenue sources, investments and so on, as somebody who's a former banker, I pride myself on being pretty good at that, but even so, it can happen that you forget something. You could have a separate account for a TFSA or something. I'm always very pleased when someone in the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner takes the time, gives us a call and explains what it is, so that we're able to correct it, because God forbid that something should be posted and not be correct. I'm one of those people. To be hauled in front of this committee to explain myself and so on.... I don't think any member of Parliament would enjoy that.
I think that we have to let the Ethics Commissioner do his work. He has, in this case, on three different occasions.... Am I right? I believe it is on three different occasions, in three different reports, that he has assured us that if there are any concerns, he would be, of course, the first one to be cognizant and seized with having to do what would need to be done in that case—further investigations, further interviews and so forth. Therefore, I don't really understand why the Conservatives are not willing to let the Ethics Commissioner do his work.
It would seem to me that there are better things we could be doing. There are more productive things we could be doing to be serving our constituents. I'm quite sure the other opposition members here would feel the same way.
Chair, I'm still putting my thoughts together on this. Please, put me back on the list. I'd like to come back after I've gathered my thoughts a bit.
Those were some preliminary observations that I wanted to make.
Thank you.