Although the member found the comment offensive, it was not meant to offend, Mr. Chair.
I think Mr. Davies has to take ownership of his voting position, plain and simple. By voting how he is, by siding with the government, he is supporting an effort that cast the committee adrift for seven meetings. I appreciate that his intentions are good, but this is the first time I have ever heard him say the government has precedence over us and that we must accept it because the government holds the majority in a minority Parliament. The voters in Canada and Quebec were the ones who decided that it would be a minority government.
This is the first time I have heard him say such a thing since we have been in Parliament together. I have a really hard time accepting that a minority government can throw the committee off course for seven meetings and impose its will. That is Mr. Davies' contention. I have the utmost respect for him, but as members, we must take ownership of how we vote. He doesn't want to be lumped together with the government, but his actions speak louder than his intentions.
I do not hear many Liberals jumping into the discussion. I imagine they are waiting until it's time to vote because they know they have the majority and don't need to make their case.
That is what I wanted to say. I did not at all mean to offend Mr. Davies.