I would like to suggest a compromise. We could study the ins and outs of spousal relationships. I should say that I am rather more in favour of this motion than against it. However, spouses should not serve as a front for questionable activities.
When it comes to ethics — that was one of the key issues of the last election campaign — the prerequisite should be transparency. If we've got nothing to hide, let's go. Personally, I think we should seriously consider the issue of spouses. I share Mr. Godin's concerns about children. Actually, we are looking to further protect children.
I would suggest the following compromise. On the issue of children, we could continue along the same vein, and then do a more thorough assessment of the issue of spouses. I'm not going to disclose any caucus secrets, but some colleagues say that our spouses collaborate with us and support us during the election campaign, but they are not members of Parliament nor did they run as candidates. Our spouses ask us to respect them. My spouse has nothing to do with this. Why should she have to open up all of her drawers?
Are we currently sitting in camera? No? All right.
So I would suggest this compromise. Let's go ahead with the children and do a more thorough examination of spouses. When we introduced the notion of spouses, some of my colleagues...