The hon. member for Langley—Abbotsford knows that it is improper to make reference to the presence or absence of members in the House, particularly the absence.
I have made speeches before too, and I know there is an argument to be made that in referring to the number of members here you are actually referring to the presence of members and not the absence. I have found myself in difficulty in doing that in the past and I know the hon. member would want to comply with the rules in every respect and set an example for all members of his party. After all, he is the House leader and therefore he would want to comply with the rules in every respect. I think he knows it is perhaps not quite in accordance with the standing orders to refer to the number of members who are here, with the suggestion that there is a bunch who is not.
Members have other responsibilities. He knows that. Perhaps he could resume his remarks without those kinds of references.