Mr. Speaker, I will take your words of caution with respect to relevance advisedly as you did of course allow the hon. member to pose certain rhetorical questions.
I would simply say that the member suggests that rather than talking about parliamentary reform, one ought to do something about it. This is precisely what the people of Alberta are doing in the process of selecting their next senator. With respect to the cost objection that the member raises, yes democracy does cost something. I know the people of Alberta, 92% of them, are prepared to incur some small cost to be able to hold their representative accountable.
The reason they want their representatives accountable in the Senate and in this place is precisely because we have enormous powers, powers such as the power to tax which is really the power to destroy. Too often it is a power that is abused. Too often the tax collection agents at Revenue Canada treat taxpayers as though they are guilty until proven innocent.
Would the hon. member not support a statute which would more clearly define the rights under due process of taxpayers to be given the presumption of innocence in the collection and assessment process? Would the member not think it would be a worthwhile complement to this bill for such a taxpayer bill of rights to be passed, essentially to enshrine in law the current declaration of taxpayers' rights which is really a statement of good intentions? Does the member not think this would be a worthwhile proposition to support?