Before we resume debate, I note that the hon. member for Jonquière would have liked to participate. But we must go back to the opening statements on Motion M-314, on February 13, 1995. The hon. member for Lotbinière asked for unanimous consent and said: "I will be the only speaker during the three-hour debate". I then replied: "-as the only spokesperson from the Bloc Quebecois on this bill-"
There might have been some confusion, but since the House gave its unanimous consent to the hon. member for Lotbinière, in all justice, I must also request unanimous consent to allow the hon. member for Jonquière to participate in this debate.
Are there any questions? At this time, I clearly state that I must ask the question to the House and obtain unanimous consent before I grant leave the hon. member for Jonquière to participate. There had been a commitment and the House had given its unanimous consent.
If I may explain more clearly, for government members, unanimous consent was requested by a Bloc Quebecois member who had prepared a twenty-minute speech and wanted to deliver it in full, even though the time limit was ten minutes. The House
gave its unanimous consent to the Bloc member and, at the same time, according to me, the hon. member for Lotbinière stated clearly that he would be the only member to participate in the three-hour debate on that motion.
Therefore, the House must give unanimous consent for the hon. member for Jonquière to participate in this debate today. Is there unanimous consent?