Mr. Speaker, I will not get into the debate as to whether this House leader is right and that one is wrong. Let me put a little better perspective on what that one said.
The government really could argue that the minister dealt with the matter, so it is no longer an issue. Or, there is the argument that members have the option to question the minister in question period. Or, it could argue that the official is no longer working with us, so it is no longer a problem.
To address the issue of ministerial responsibility, I draw members' attention to the Speaker's ruling of November 9, 1978 at page 966 of Hansard . The then Speaker said:
—while I do not think there is a procedural significance to the doctrine of ministerial responsibility, it appears that we are now embarking on a different course in having the House, through a question of privilege, reach around the minister and examine directly the conduct of an official.
The Speaker went on to say: “It seems to me that it is not a procedural matter”.
The Speaker did not consider ministerial responsibility as a consideration when he determined that there was a prima facie question of privilege in that case. There is no procedural significance in this case either. The gist of the question of privilege today is that someone deliberately impeded a member of parliament from carrying out his duties. That is really what this is about.
The former official committed an act which constitutes a prima facie question of privilege and that act must be considered by the House. The House must determine if further action is necessary to protect itself from this sort of activity in the future. We should not leave the impression that interfering with opposition members of parliament is a career advancing move.
Last week we had a member of parliament on her feet seeking protection from the House and the activities of CSIS. If members are being watched, intimidated or interfered with, and information is deliberately withheld from them, then what is next in the House, Mr. Speaker? That is why we have come to you with the appeal. That is all I have to add.