Thank you, Mr. Chair.
These are events in the proceedings of the committee that are of major concern, because they're a true breach of privileges. I'm concerned about it because it really is very disrespectful toward the work of the committee and toward opinions expressed by each committee member.
I also want to say that when leaks such as this occur, one of the things I look at is the angle that is presented to the press, and from that I draw my own conclusions. I can therefore tell you that when I read the articles you referred to, I certainly was not happy about the fact that a member, or somebody, who had the report in their possession felt that they were actually more important than the parliamentary work being done on behalf of the people of Canada, to improve a program that needs improvement, the live-in caregiver program, that requires our attention as parliamentarians.
I'm not pointing fingers here. I read the article. I've been around for 21 years in this place. I know how these things occur sometimes. But they're the bad side of public policy; they're the bad side of what parliamentarians and what the entire process is truly all about. If we want to move forward as a committee, and we if we want to move forward as a Parliament, we'd better get a grip on this kind of behaviour, because it demonstrates lack of respect.
Quite frankly, whoever the person is and whoever the person or persons are who are responsible for these leaks, I hope when they look in the mirror they see exactly what they look like, because these are individuals I have zero respect for, personally—zero respect because they obviously don't respect the work of the committee, they don't respect the interventions made by the witnesses in the committee, they don't respect the seriousness of the issues we're dealing with when we're dealing with human lives.
These hearings were difficult hearings for many individuals and for members of this committee, and to have someone act in that fashion speaks to the fact that there's some serious thinking that needs to take place in that person's head. These are not individuals worthy of participating in the process. These are individuals who are contravening some very basic rights that we have as parliamentarians.
I hope, Mr. Chair, that in your statement to the House, if that is the course of action you will take, you'll be very firm and relay a message. As well, this should be brought to the attention of the Speaker, the attention of anyone who is responsible for the management of parliamentary business here in the House of Commons.
Let me tell you, I feel poorly for that person or those persons who did this, because I think there are some deep-rooted problems in their head, quite frankly. They lack the dignity to belong to a chamber such as the House of Commons. They also lack the dignity to participate in any way in this process.
I hope they're listening, and I hope they enjoyed their little moment of glory when they leaked it to a reporter. Probably these are very small people who probably thrive on that particular way of conducting their business and probably feel important that perhaps a reporter gave them attention, attention that's perhaps missing in their own personal lives.
So have a good time breaking down the democratic process of this committee. Have a good time with your action, and I hope you sleep very well at night, being the small person that you are.
