Mr. Speaker, I have listened carefully to everything that has been said until now during the debate on the lobbyists registration system and I caught myself thinking that it is quite a paradox that, on this day, Friday, April 28, the House is at third reading of a bill which is at the very heart of our democracy while the government is linked to numerous nepotism and patronage scandals.
This is really something else. I see that the hon. member for Kingston and the Islands wants to take part in this debate. It is also a paradox that he is allowed to speak without ever rising
from his seat. Of course, Mr. Speaker, it is only through your kindness that we can hear what he is saying.
I would like to remind the House of the importance of the lobbying issue. We are not saying that this is an easy question. We are not saying that this is a trivial issue. We are not saying that this is a futile issue, because it deals with the degree of openness the government is ready to allow.
We must remember the words of the hon. member for Berthier-Montcalm whose contribution to this debate was so enlightening.