Mr. Speaker, one of the principles underlying oral question period is that the government is accountable and must answer. If the Prime Minister is not here, it does not mean the government ceases to operate.
I therefore ask the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs to tell us if the government intends to require all Liberal members to vote in favour of this amendment and not to engage in doubletalk with statements to the effect that the government is favourable, but that members are being allowed to vote as they wish and that it does not recognize the unanimous request of the Government of Quebec.