Mr. Speaker, this is not a great day for Parliament. Perhaps we are being put to the test. There are a number of issues that are being mentioned, some of them, I think, indirectly, but there are only two issues that we are being asked to debate at this particular point.
We are not being asked to debate the appropriateness of the so-called flag issue. That is still awaiting your decision, Mr. Speaker, although some of my friends think this might be the point and place for that debate.
I think it is fair to say that people got caught up in an emotional demonstration in the House of Commons, motivated for the very best of reasons. Others felt it was inappropriate. But that is not what we are talking about here.
I think all of us also appreciate the fact that our constituents watch this House operate on their television sets and by and large are not impressed often with what they see. Today is a good example of that.
Today we are supposed to be debating the budget, Mr. Speaker. We are not debating the budget. We are debating some alleged comments that some people made about the procedure before the House.
This is not necessarily a question about freedom of speech. Freedom of speech does not mean you have the right to say anything you want about anybody or anything. It is within certain accepted rules. How we behave in here in also based on a long established set of traditions and rules. We make a point of memorizing those rules. As members of Parliament we have books presented so that we know what the rules of order are. We know what is expected of us in the House. What is it?
You are being asked, Mr. Speaker, to decide whether or not a few days ago the proper procedures were followed. We are awaiting that decision. That is not what is before us at the moment. Brought to us by the House leader for the Progressive Conservatives was the alleged comments made by a number of members from various political parties that may bring into question your integrity when bringing down a decision about the appropriateness of behaviour in this House. That is the question before us.
I listened with interest to the spokesperson for the Liberal Party who said now they have no choice. You have ruled that this is a prima facie case of privilege that now must go on to the appropriate committee—the procedure and House affairs committee—where it will be dealt with appropriately. The so-called alleged comments will be addressed. That is where it will be dealt with.
Surely if we are going to do the right thing for this Parliament, we do not challenge your rule now. We do the right thing and vote to send this to the appropriate committee which is a standing committee of this House represented by all political parties to finalize and deal with this unfortunate issue.
I would urge my colleagues, let us make this a unanimous vote. You have asked us to support your decision. That is what this vote is all about. For goodness sake, colleagues, let us not separate at this point on this critical issue. Let us send it off to committee where it will be dealt with appropriately in a dispassionate way where everyone will have the chance to have their say. This will then be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
I am urging, not only on behalf of my party, that we all support this motion unanimously.