Chair, yes, on a point of personal privilege, I asked for this opportunity.
The last meeting of the committee was dealing with Monsieur Mayrand and the issues of the bells and the problems and whether or not the deal that was made with the government was honoured. At that time I certainly expressed how unhappy I was with what I considered to be incredibly dishonourable actions on the part of the government, and I personalized it in the form of Mr. Lukiwski because I can only deal with the face of government that I'm given.
I want to go on record publicly, and I appreciate the opportunity, Chair, to make it clear that although I had to focus my remarks on the government member that I was negotiating with in good faith, I believe in my heart that it was not Mr. Lukiwski's decision at all to violate that agreement. I want him to know I still consider him to be an honourable member and I look forward to working with him. I hope we can set that aside. I meant what I said, but I did not mean it towards the individual in the way that it could only come across, but I meant it to the government. There's been enough time now for me to say personally to Mr. Lukiwski that nothing has changed in terms of the respect that I have for him. In fact, I'm sure it brought great grief to him to see a deal that he made, I think in good faith, broken. I just want to put it on the record, Chair, that I look forward to continuing a good relationship with Mr. Lukiwski and I have the greatest respect for him.