Mr. Chairman, I want to reassure the parliamentary secretary that it was not my intention to be inelegant in proposing such an amendment and with respect to the Constitution, because these matters are far too serious for one not to be elegant.
As you noted, the intent was to raise a matter with the minister, which, it appears, arouses the interest of both the official opposition and the Conservative Party. This question should be debated in full. Other parliaments have debated it, but this parliament has failed to do so sufficiently in recent years.
Before considering the proposal by the parliamentary secretary, I would nevertheless ask the minister if he could give us his initial reaction to the question which this amendment raises and which other amendments could raise about the role parliament, including the House of Commons, in negotiating treaties.
I would ask for a very preliminary comment in the light of his recent experience with the treaty this legislation is attempting to implement and which this House may debate at some time other than when the legislation is implemented. I would appreciate a comment from the minister on this question.