I would just like to add that we are all members of the House of Commons and that we are here to represent our constituents.
It is true that, during this leadership race, I have already missed several votes because I was travelling across Canada to meet with Conservatives. However, important votes are held on certain days, and we have to be there. On that budget day, there were several important votes, and I wanted to fulfill my duty as a member of Parliament. People from Beauce and from my riding expected the member they have elected to be able to vote and represent them well. The people of Beauce are well aware that I have been absent this year a bit more often than usual. That was due to the leadership race, and they forgive me for it.
However, on that day, I was here and I wanted to exercise my right to vote and represent my constituents. That is why we say that the vote is a privilege of the members of the House of Commons. It is a privilege to be elected, to vote and to represent our constituents. I was unable to exercise that privilege, that right to vote. This is why we rose together and raised a question of privilege: our privileges had been breached. It is important for members to be able to vote and represent their constituents, and we were unable to do so.
Today, I am very happy that we have had an opportunity to clarify all this and to consider what can be done in the future. However, I personally believe that a communication problem arose between the RCMP and the House of Commons officers. That is why the buses were left waiting for several minutes before the gates were opened. I will carefully read the recommendations you will issue to assure myself that, in the future, other members will not have to go through what Ms. Raitt and I experienced on March 22.