—when that latter asks when a softwood lumber deal is going to be in place. Did I mention that more than 140 communities in British Columbia depend on forestry? He can answer the question when I ask about what I'm supposed to tell the young lady in my riding who was sexually assaulted. She wrote to me when she heard our Prime Minister's comments about the gentleman.... I don't know the court case; I don't have it in front of me, but the Prime Minister stood in the House and said he backed the decision of the judge who let off a person who sexually assaulted someone.
I'll go back to what I said before. There are common things that are easy to do, and it's the way we treat each other. I'll ask those who are in the House. I'll tell you the same as I tell the people in my riding, and I mentioned it earlier. If I am taking you to task there is a reason. I don't do it frivolously and I don't do it just for the sake of doing it. If I'm taking you to task, there is a reason I'm doing it. However, away from the House I'll treat you with every respect. I'll open the door for you. I'll ask you how your day's going. I'm genuinely interested in that. I told you before, and I say this in public, that politics is really for QP and campaigns. Truthfully, that's what it is, because we do a lot of work collaboratively behind the scenes. The great work that we do in committees is an extension of being able to have that time at QP to really challenge and hold the government to task. Committees are supposed to be at arm's length from departments. We mentioned that. It's an opportunity for us to actually make differences if the government heeds our information and our studies.
I had the opportunity earlier on, when I was deputy critic for indigenous affairs, to talk about the suicide epidemic within our first nations, Mr. Chair. I'm on record, in an emergency debate, talking about things we can do as Parliament to leave a legacy of action, a true legacy of doing some good things...where perhaps Canadians wouldn't question about electoral reform, where our backbench is actually standing up, having a voice, and not being whipped all the time—depending on the point at stake—but voting their conscience.
I think as a House we can do things differently. I use that term again, the “House”, which means all of us. It's not about arbitrarily ramming things down one's throat. I think if you set forth proposals with honest and good intentions, then you can try to find a way to common ground. You can't just stand up and say, “I really wish we could have this discussion.” Mean it, because when you make comments that drip with insincerity, people can tell. Mr. Chair, I think it's important that we remind ourselves that people can see through what we're doing.
I'm going to tell you what I was told early on in my life, that at the end of the day, the only thing we have is our integrity, and so we should lead our life that way. There are going to be bumps along the way, but if we learn from them, I think that is so important.
I'm nearing the end, Mr. Chair, just so you know, so indulge me in this. I talked about being elected on October 19, and I consider it a distinct honour. I remember getting my first pin.
Ms. May, how are you?