Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer the NDP's view on this point of order which I believe is an extremely important matter that the government House leader has raised.
I was a member of the Saskatchewan legislature for almost 10 years. I have been a member of this House of Commons for about four and a half years. I have never seen such a blatant action of hooliganism in my view by any political party anywhere in Canada in those 14 years.
If the issue with respect to the Reform Party was a matter of foreign policy, what they did was not raise the issue of foreign policy but try to raise political points on the Speaker which in my view, and what should be the view of every member of Parliament in this House, is that the Speaker's position is sacrosanct and should be independent.
It is perhaps ironic that today was the national lobby day for the Canadian Police Association. In my discussions with them we talked about a number of issues, including the Young Offenders Act and hooligans and yet, maybe in spite of the national lobby day by the police association, we see a very blatant display of hooliganism right in this House of Commons. They have tried to hijack the House of Commons and I personally take offence at that.
The final point I want to raise is in reference to what the Reform whip has made reference to but did not finish reading. That is citation 164 in Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules & Forms . The Reform whip read:
The Speaker:
(1) Communicates the resolutions of the House to those to whom they are directed—
He did not finish the sentence, which continues on:
—and conveys its thanks and expresses its censure, reprimands, and admonitions.
It is my view, Mr. Speaker, that you should study this issue, study the point of order that has been raised by the government House leader, and in your capacity as Speaker if you find that this is a point of order relevant to Beauchesne's, that you take your authority and reprimand the Reform Party for its disgusting action in this House of Commons.