Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my hon. colleague the government House leader to this issue.
The Reform Party of Canada as Her Majesty's official opposition feels that this particular issue is one of the most important issues that can ever be brought before this Chamber. We have already heard a number of members refer to the need for the impartiality of the Chair. Debating this issue is of supreme importance. The Speaker of this place is tasked with the job of upholding the rights and privileges of each and every member equally.
In debating this issue among Reform Party members it soon became apparent that the only way to address this was to have a free vote. If there was ever a reason to have a free vote on an issue, this one would be it, rather than taking a caucus position as we often do when we debate other issues, because of the importance that we have placed upon the Speaker's position.
The Speaker is tasked with upholding the rights and privileges of each and every one of us. Each and every one of us should be called upon to grapple with his or her conscience, with his or her projection of whether you, Mr. Speaker, have always acted in an impartial manner over the past number of years. We came to the conclusion that each member would have to make that choice for himself or herself.
I would ask the government House leader if it is his understanding that the Liberal members in this Chamber will be doing likewise.