Mr. Speaker, voters need accurate information to make wise decisions at election time. With one vote they are asked to choose their member of Parliament, select the government for the term, indirectly choose the Prime Minister and give their approval to a complete all or nothing list of agenda items.
During an election campaign it is not acceptable to say that the GST will be axed with pledges to resign if it is not, to write in small print that it will be harmonized, but to keep it and hide it once the election has been won. It is not acceptable to promise more free votes if all this means is that the status quo of free votes on private members' bills will be maintained. It is not acceptable to say that MPs will be given more authority to represent their constituents if it means nothing and that MPs will still be whipped into submission by threats and actions of expulsion.
I cannot understand why the Liberal Party, running on words of rebuilding the trust of Canadians, would so blatantly ignore its campaign commitments now that it has gained power.