Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Obviously I'm coming a little late to this meeting, but it always interests me to participate in discussions to do with Marleau and Montpetit. I would refer the committee and you, Mr. Chair, to page three, which deals with privileges and immunities. I would like to read some of this into the record, if I may. It speaks directly to the issue, and I quote:
The rights accorded to the House and its Members to allow them to perform their parliamentary functions unimpeded are referred to as privileges or immunities.
I would suggest that in listening to this discourse, we should take note of whether there is a positive obligation on a minister or in fact a negative obligation. Under that context, I will continue, if I may, Mr. Chair:
Parliamentary privilege refers, however, to the rights and immunities that are deemed necessary for the House of Commons, as an institution, and its Members, as representatives of the electorate—