Thank you again, Mr. Chair.
Again, if we start getting into an environment in which you can't trust or you can't believe someone.... Most of these agreements are not written down. We all know what we're talking about here; we're talking about approaching another member, saying you're looking for support on a particular issue in committee, and asking if the member will support this initiative--yes or no? If the parliamentarian or one of my colleagues says no, I cannot, for these reasons, that's fine. I don't take it personally, but I take the person at his word. Conversely, if someone says yes, I will support you, or I will support this when it comes to a vote, to me that's good enough; I don't need it in writing. To me, that's the fundamental premise on how we operate in this place.
Ms. Jennings, with all due respect, I was at that meeting, and I do absolutely recall that there was agreement. There was agreement. I don't think Mr. Hill's comments are untoward or out of order whatsoever. I just think that if this motion is adopted, it's the start of a very slippery slope in terms of relationships between parliamentarians and between parties. I know it certainly will be between me and Mr. Hill and other members from our side at the House leader and caucus officer level.
I'm willing to hear Ms. Redmond out on this. I see no reason that this issue has to be dealt with today. If in fact you wish to enact the permanency of these things, what would it matter if we waited at least another two weeks until our senior staff can get together and discuss these items in some detail? Then we can come back and say there is some disagreement about whether we had an agreement to delay this matter until November, but at least our staff has had a chance to get together and consult, and here's the report--here are the items of common agreement and here are the items of common disagreement. That would allow us to hash it out.
But to bring this on, frankly.... I vividly recall it because we had a debriefing. The reason I will place my memory on trial here, Ms. Jennings, is that we always have a debriefing after each House leaders meeting. Perhaps you do the same. This issue was discussed.
Again, to me, as Mr. Hill has said, it is not the issue of whether the motion should be adopted; it is the issue of breaking one's word, frankly, and that's where I have a big problem.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.