At any rate, thank you very much, Chair.
First of all, let me just put it on the record that in all likelihood, had it been just about any other member of the governing caucus who'd brought this motion in, I think the attacks would have been a lot more withering, and it would be hard for them not to be personal.
Conversely, because of the respect that everyone on all sides of the House has for Mr. Simms, as much as we are hitting his ideas and arguments as hard as we would anyone else's, it's not hard to make sure that one doesn't slip into personal acrimony and start to question his motives and his priorities as a parliamentarian.
Through you, Chair, I just want to say to my colleague that while this is an adversarial system, and we are at pitched battle right now on an idea and an issue, absolutely nothing that I have to say—I suspect this applies to everyone on this side, but certainly it does for me—will apply to Mr. Simms' integrity and the respect that I hold him in. I have nothing to think that this will change, regardless of how the course of this unfolds.
You're an honourable man, sir, and I know that you're doing the best you can. I probably know more than most, since I'm privy to offline discussions between you, me, and Mr. Richards. I could back up what I'm saying with witness testimony, if I had to.
I just want to be clear on that, Mr. Simms. My remarks are on your arguments, and absolutely not on you.