I will answer directly in a moment, but I should say that I'm very reluctant to comment on specific statements if I don't see the full context in which a statement is made. So let me just preface my remarks in that regard. But let me perhaps address the main thrust of your question, if I may, which I think is this. Would it have been legitimate for the Governor General to call upon Mr. Dion to form a government, the coalition government? My answer is absolutely it would have been legitimate, if, in the circumstances, she had concluded that the Prime Minister did not enjoy the confidence and that there was really no alternative. For example, if the Prime Minister had come forward and said, “I wish to dissolve the House and call an election”, I do not think the Governor General should have accepted that advice, and in those circumstances I think she would have had no alternative but to call on Mr. Dion to form a government.
So it is absolutely the case that if there is a Prime Minister, or a potential member, or a potential government that could be formed, the Governor General, under a system of government, should call upon the leader of that party. Indeed, in 1985, it was Mr. Peterson who had the second most seats, who was called upon by the Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Aird, at the time, notwithstanding the fact that he had fewer seats. I know there was some discussion amongst the Conservatives at the time that it was somehow illegitimate because the Conservatives had 52 seats and the Liberals had 48, but it was entirely appropriate.
I'm sorry, I'm going on too long.