Just a quick one, because before we broke for lunch Mr. Martin had made some comments that really tweaked my interest, to say the least, because I didn't think they were quite correct. He and other members of the opposition seem to be talking a lot about trust, facts, and the truth. But I think maybe this principle, if they're sincere about that, should be applied to everyone around the table.
I say that because Mr. Martin stated just before lunch that the Library of Parliament used to be only open for use by cabinet ministers and it was the Trudeau government that opened it up for all MPs. Well, we had a little time over lunch, so we did a little research and found that the statement of Mr. Martin was far from being true.
In fact, Mr. Chair, I have here—which I can certainly table if it interests the committee—the Statutes of Canada from 1871, an act in relation to the Library of Parliament, which clearly states:
All books, paintings, maps and other effects...shall vest in the Queen's Majesty for the use of the two Houses of Parliament...
I also have copies of the Revised Statutes of 1970, which state the same thing.
So, Mr. Chair, I thought that since we were talking about trust and accountability and the facts, perhaps we should have the record set straight. Perhaps if Mr. Martin does show up this afternoon he can recognize that, withdraw his statements, and if he cares to apologize for misleading the committee, he can do so as well.