My colleague from Elk Island informs me that this is the 52nd time that time allocation has been imposed on debate in the House.
I can recall a day when the rat pack sat on this side of House. The member for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, who is now the government House leader, was one of the illustrious members of the rat pack. He used to go into absolute convulsions whenever the Conservatives moved time allocation or closure in the House. As a matter of fact, he used to say things like “Here comes the jackboots. Bring out the brown shirts. Here comes closure again”. Over and over the member for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell would say things like that whenever debate was restricted in the House.
He is the very person who reared up on his hind legs with much authority, to the chagrin of people on this side, and today moved time allocation with a noticeable smirk on his face. He was very much pleased that he could do whatever he could to make sure that democracy did not take place. He limits debate time and time again in the House.