Mr. Speaker, I would like you to indicate to me when I have spoken about six or seven minutes so that the time allotted can be divided among all parties. I want everyone to have an opportunity to speak.
I want to make the third reading remarks brief first because we have the half hour limitation for all parties and second because I believe that this issue has been thoroughly debated.
We have had the report from the Blais commission which I was offered to appoint. Ultimately the Prime Minister appoints all commissions but I was asked to appoint such a commission immediately after I became Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. It was my duty to do so pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act.
I believe the people who served on the Blais Commission did a very good job. I thank Commissioner Blais, Dr. Jérôme-Forget and Mr. Ray Speaker. All three of them have worked very hard at producing this document. The bill we have before us today in large measure, although not exactly, reflects the recommendations they provided to us. Again I thank them. I believe they did a good job.
As I have indicated in speeches in the House before, I have been around Parliament Hill for a very long time. I came here on October 25, 1966. I started from the most junior ranks of this place and have had the opportunity of meeting truly great Canadians who were called upon by their constituents to serve in this place. I probably had the occasion of meeting more than perhaps many in this room. I have had the opportunity of knowing members of parliament both as a staffer looking upon those almighty and powerful people who are parliamentarians and as a parliamentarian myself.