Mr. Speaker, at the outset I want to say that I am splitting my time with the hon. member for Churchill River.
This bill is called Bill S-23. For people watching today, bills come here called C which means Commons. Some are called S which means they originated in the Senate rather than the House of Commons.
I object to having a bill originating in what we call the other place. The other place is not elected, it is not democratic and it is not accountable to the Canadian people.
I see the minister, who is the government House leader across the way, hanging on to the curtain in the back. I would like to know from him why more and more bills are originating in the other place. I can see him shaking his head but I cannot hear what he is saying. Now he is scurrying out the back door.