Mr. Speaker, we just went through some very sad events and I must say that I agree with the last comment made, to the effect that you play an extremely important role at the core of the whole democratic and parliamentary system of this country.
This role was protected by those who, in the past, through wisdom and through practice, established the rules governing how this House operates.
I will not spend a lot of time on this issue. I simply want to tell you that, in our opinion, this role of yours—which is to protect democracy, to see that all parliamentarians are equal in this House, regardless of the political party to which they belong, and to ensure the proper administration of the affairs of this House, including in committee and any other place where parliamentarians have to work—is being fulfilled remarkably well.
At times, we could have, given the situation in which we find ourselves in this Parliament—and we were tempted to do so, which is only human, as you know—challenged decisions that were not to our advantage or that did not please us.
At times, we were even tempted to leave Parliament, to show that we were unhappy with the way things were done. But always guided by the most elementary wisdom and respect for those who sent us here, those who came here before us and those who will come after us, we controlled these initial impulses.
We agreed that it was important to put our confidence in you and, time after time, this confidence has been justified: decisions have been rendered in our favour when we were right and others against us when we were wrong.
As I indicated yesterday, there has been a general feeling of unease these past few days, with members unexpectedly rising to issue an extremely serious challenge to the institution that is the Chair. I have no intention of raising this issue again today, but I would just like you, Mr. Speaker, to know that no member of this House has the power to challenge the Standing Orders or the way they are applied by you in this place on our behalf, as we have mandated you to do with the support of the table officers, whose expertise is undeniable.
Your rulings cannot be questioned. We may not always be happy with them, but we must recognize their wisdom and, usually, in time, we realize that it is in everyone's interest to operate within the very specific structure provided by the rules governing deliberative assemblies such as ours.
It is a matter of respect for democracy. It is a matter of respect for authority. I would not want any parliamentarian to tarnish the image of this House by behaving in an unacceptable manner.
In that sense, Mr. Speaker, given that, as far as we are concerned, your duties have always been carried out with dignity and competence and that all of us are here for a number of months if not years, we will have to learn to toe the line and obey the rules, not to defy authority and to realize that, however partisan or impassioned the debate, the kind of behaviour we have witnessed cannot and will not be tolerated.
In the name of democracy, of this institution and of my political formation, I tell you that we have confidence in the work that has been done so far. We reiterate our confidence and are prepared to help implement measures to restore confidence in those who obviously do not work well within this system and ensure that their behaviour is worthy of parliamentarians.
Recall does not exist yet in politics. Perhaps this is a good thing for those who show no respect for our institutions.