Reformers never cease to amaze me, Mr. Speaker.
The Liberals understood overnight. They slept on it. They put away the Canadian flags. However, the Reform Party, just to provoke the House a bit more and contrary to your ruling, because you did make a ruling—. Until you rule on the merits, we agreed that no members would have a Canadian flag on their desks or, at least, that you would not recognize them. However, yesterday, some members with Canadian flags on their desks rose in their places and spoke without a problem.
As you can see, Mr. Speaker, in addition to failing to recognize what you represent, they are continuing their provocation today. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, paragraph 168 on page 49 of the sixth edition of Beauchesne's provides, and I invite the Reformers to listen attentively:
- —No member may rise when the Speaker is standing. Reflections upon the character or actions of the Speaker may be punished as breaches of privilege. The actions of the Speaker cannot be criticized incidentally in debate or upon any form of proceeding except by way of a substantive motion.
There are rules in this House. We do not always agree with rulings, but we do honour the rules of this House. We have always obeyed them, and I do not think anyone in this House can accuse the members of the Bloc Quebecois of not doing responsible work, of not obeying the rules in place.
It is like in the courts. It is like two lawyers arguing a case. Good arguments are used. We present arguments to express our point of view. I think the Liberals do so too. As do the Conservatives.
But there is one party that has not done so since 1993, for all kinds of reasons: the Reform Party. Today, they are scandalized because we want to apply the rules governing how this House operates. I think there is something abnormal in all of this.
We introduced an amendment to the main motion, stating that the matter must be dealt with as promptly as possible. When I began to speak this morning, I said that this was an extremely important question. I think it is the most important matter you will have to decide on since becoming the Chair of the 36th Parliament. It is a matter directly related to your powers. Your ruling will set a precedent for the future.
Precedents are often cited in this House in support of a position. I would not like to have to cite you in the future as ruling in support of the right to do just about anything here. I do not believe that is the objective. I do not think I need argue any further about proper procedure in this House. I think that the rulings you have brought down have been fair and have always advanced the cause of parliamentarism. Naturally, your vision of Canada and mine cannot be the same, but you have nevertheless brought down rulings based on the Standing Orders of this House, and they have never been disputed. We have taken note of your decisions and I hope that this House will do the same.