The Chair cannot know all the cases that are before the courts in this country and which ones members are commenting on.
What is clear is that there is a rule which requires that members refrain from comment on cases that are before the courts, particularly criminal cases, where comments might be ones that tend to prejudice the outcome of the legal proceedings.
This is a discussion today in the House on matters of criminal law primarily, if I can lump the various items of discussion together, and using that word without in any way prejudicing the discussion or limiting the terms of the motion that the opposition has put before the House today.
I would urge hon. members to have a look at Beauchesne's, at the sub judice rule as stated in that work, and bear it in mind in the course of their comments today.
I know that hon. members would not want to prejudice the outcome of legal proceedings in our courts. I know that in their debate today they will exercise the usual temperance and prudence as befits members of the House. I thank the hon. member for Scarborough—Rouge River for drawing the rule to our attention. I know the hon. member will be careful in what he says and I hope that we will be able to carry on that way all day.