If there are any of you who think that, I'm going to disabuse them of their illusions by telling them about two events.
The in and out case in the Conservative Party in the 2006 election has been taken to court. Even though there was a legal action involving the Chief Electoral Officer and the Conservative Party underway, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, of which I am a member, considered the question. This is a prime example that proves that this can perfectly well be done.
As well, in the sponsorship scandal, even though the Gomery Commission was underway and a large number of civil and criminal proceedings had been initiated against people involved in that case, the Standing on Government Operations also considered that question. That is why we guaranteed Chuck Guité and other figures in that scandal that nothing that was said at the committee could be used against them in other proceedings. If some of you think that we can't consider this question because it is being dealt with or might be dealt with in another proceeding, I would remind them that committees are in charge of their own proceedings. That is what the Standing Orders clearly say.