Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for the question. In my opinion, there is one thing on which we must agree right at the start. According to the motion brought forward by the New Democratic Party, the students' right to express themselves freely and peacefully was violated at the time of the APEC summit. Refusing them financial assistance would therefore be tantamount to denying that right a second time, by preventing them from having proper representation at the commission hearings. These are fundamental principles.
To do otherwise would be to accept that the dice are loaded against the penniless students who are up against a whole army of lawyers on the public payroll. Finally, the third matter of principle is that this is not a run-of-the-mill case. It sets an important precedent. It raises vital questions, particularly on a government's political involvement in the justice system and on the violation of the fundamental rights of individuals.
These are the three fundamental principles that must be kept in mind when the entire matter relating to the APEC summit events is being addressed. In a more direct response to my colleague, I believe that we have proof, from all the documents we have been able to obtain and all the statements that have been made, including those from the dean of UBC, that the entire affair had been a long time in the planning.