Mr. Chairman, if I am not mistaken, the first report from our subcommittee which deals with private members' bills, rejects this bill because it violates the Constitution, as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
I am setting aside the political arguments from my colleague Mr. Paquette and I am listening to the legal arguments which were quoted both by Ms. Picard and by Mr. Paquette. I feel that we are engaging in a debate over legal interpretation. I am trying to follow this.
Can we find out, Mr. Chairman, whether a lawyer told the committee that this was contrary to the Constitution and to the Charter? Did the members get any advice? I do not think that I am violating the in camera conditions if I ask whether a lawyer gave an opinion on this issue.