Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of debate with regard to this motion.
I would like to say a few words with regard to this motion and the appointment of deputy chairman of committees of the whole House. I am not taking exception at all with regard to the person who is appointed. I certainly give due respect for that person.
I am rising on the basis of principle. I raise a matter which was brought into the House of Commons via the Liberal red book and also under a paper entitled "Reviving Parliamentary Democracy: the Liberal Plan for the House of Commons and Electoral Reform". This paper was submitted at an earlier date by members of the opposition, at that time, the member for Cape Breton-East Richmond; opposition House leader, the member of Saint-Léonard; chief opposition whip, the member for Kingston and the Islands; assistant House leader, the member for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.
In their statement they agreed to the independence of the Chair:
In order to enhance the independence of the Chair and in an effort to reduce the level of partisanship, when the Speaker is from the government party, two of the junior chair officers should be from the oppositions so that the four presiding officer positions are shared equally by government and opposition.
The paper further suggests that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions could alternate between government and opposition, the Deputy Chairperson could be from the government, and the fourth person from the opposition. There would then be equity and balance between the two sides of the House.
In the Liberal red book the Prime Minister stated:
So you can come with this book every week in front of me after I'm Prime Minister and say: "Where are you with your promises?"
The Prime Minister promised he would carry out this policy of his caucus, which he is not doing today.
I used the privilege of giving prior notice to the Prime Minister on February 7, 1996 by letter, quoting the policy of the government: "I would appreciate your examination of this and in this House, the second session of the 35th Parliament, that you would introduce this new policy".
Again the Prime Minister has forgotten about the red book. He has forgotten about the promises to Canadians and has turned down that policy. I ask clearly of the Prime Minister today, why did he not keep his promise? He still has a chance before we finalize this motion to allow an opposition member to be appointed to the position we have now discussed. It is incumbent upon the Prime Minister, if he is unable to do it, to explain to the people of Canada why he has again broken a red book promise that should be held.