Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we are talking about a serious matter.
This afternoon we are talking about something that concerns us all, that concerns you personally as well, Mr. Speaker. We are talking about respect for democracy in the House. We are talking about your ability to lead the House to conclusions. And we are talking about respect for this ability as it relates to the institution of the Parliament of Canada.
A few moments ago, our Liberal Party colleague referred to remarks made by the member for Rimouski—Mitis with respect to the large number of Canadian flags she saw in Nagano. The remarks made at the time were respectful of the institution and the flag and all they evoke.
What we saw on Thursday, two weeks ago, and I was in the House, profoundly shocked me. I feel that a country's flag is something sacred. It is more than just a piece of fabric, more than just colours. It is something that represents a people. I respect the flag of Quebec, I respect the flag of Canada, and I respect national flags.
National anthems also have a sacred character and, in my view, may not be used whenever and however people wish. It would be ill viewed, as I think everyone here would agree, if a student were to stand up in the middle of a class and begin singing the national anthem or waving flags in the name of freedom of expression. There is a time and a place for everything.
What happened here, two weeks ago, upset me precisely because we used a flag, the Canadian flag, and a national anthem, O Canada, at an inappropriate time.
During oral question period, the time allocated to hon. members for putting their questions and to ministers for answering them is quite limited, and you see to it, Mr. Speaker, that we keep things rolling. The disruption that occurred during our proceedings meant that some hon. members who could have asked questions did not have time to do so, and that the ministers did not have time to answer them. I know as you do, Mr. Speaker, that the House cannot operate properly under such circumstances.
After the incident, Mr. Speaker, you said—I was there—that you would take the matter under advisement and that you would get back to the House. In the meantime, some hon. members have questioned your eventual decision.
Mr. Speaker, once you have made the decision, anyone who disagrees with it will be free to say so. But until you make a decision, it is our duty to give you the time you need to ponder the issue and make the necessary consultations, and to put our trust in you.
You have my confidence and I think you also have the confidence of the vast majority of the members of this House. However, some have allowed themselves, publicly and openly, not in private conversations but in front of the media, to question the decision that you will make. Worse still, they indicated that they would withdraw their confidence in you should your ruling not be what they think it should be.
This is totally unacceptable. Such behaviour jeopardizes the democratic institutions that are Parliament and the House of Commons. If I speak freely here this afternoon, it is because I know that hon. members, whether or not they agree with my comments, will listen and let me exercise the right to speak that is mine since I was elected through a democratic process.
Hon. members also know that I do the same when you recognize them, Mr. Speaker. They enjoy the same freedom of speech, because they were also elected through a democratic process. I respect your authority because we collectively decided that you, our fellow member of Parliament, would ensure that the debates take place in a climate of respect that is conducive, hopefully, to the best possible outcome, and, more importantly, that is consistent with democracy.
I listened to some members, and sometimes I just cannot believe my ears. Whatever happened to respect for democracy among those of our colleagues who are trying to influence your decision, to kill debate, and to put a lid on the issues, instead of allowing a debate that would lead to a solution?
I do not know what your decision will be. I will anxiously wait for it, like many of us here. However, I do know that if your decision is made within the rules of our parliamentary system, it will get the support of a majority of members of this House, as are all decisions made in this fashion. We are bound by a democratic pact and this is why I will accept your decision, whatever it is.
If I had the authority to do so, I would apologize to you on behalf of the members of other parties who more or less threatened you. I do not have this authority, but it makes me very sad to see certain members show such disrespect for you.
Since I feel this is a fundamental issue, I would like to propose an amendment to the motion before us.
I move:
That the motion be amended by adding, between the words “referred” and “to the Standing Committee”, the word:
“immediately”.