Mr. Speaker, I want to take a few minutes and say a few words on this bill. In particular, I think I would be remiss if I did not take the time of the House to remind all of us not only of the good work the hon. member proposing the bill has done, but equally the work of the hon. member for Nepean.
I hope, Mr. Speaker, you will allow me to say this in spite of the fact that it is not customary to our rules, but the member for Nepean is unable to be here because of illness. Because of that, I hope, Mr. Speaker, you will be lenient with the application of that rule.
The hon. member for Nepean is ill. She had very extensive surgery some time back and of course cannot participate in this debate today. However, I am sure all members will know of the work she has done, as well as the hon. member proposing the bill today. If the member for Nepean were here, she would no doubt want to be participating in this debate and giving it her full support as well.
On behalf of the hon. member for Nepean, I thought I would take a moment in the House to indicate what I believe to be her support and the support of several other hon. members who have worked on this initiative as well.
As we all know, the hon. member for Nepean had tabled a bill similar to the one now before the House several years ago during the previous Parliament. She put forward an analogous bill during this Parliament. Being absent from the House for health reasons, she is unable to address this House today. I know that the House will vote on this motion in a few minutes.
I am unable to vote by proxy on her behalf because that is not the practice in this House. However, if such were the case, I am sure she would have asked me to vote in favour of this bill. The least I can do is to mention all the work she has done on this bill, along with the hon. member who proposed the bill today. I also wish to commend the hon. member for Nepean for her work on this issue, not only in this Parliament but also in the past several years.