I am on questions and comments. Mr. Speaker, I heard the debate and I have come here to make a comment.
First let me say that the House has to know I consider myself to be a good friend of the Speaker. He and I lived together for five years. He and I and others shared a condominium here in Ottawa. I know the gentleman who occupies the chair. I respect him. I consider him a personal friend. When he was first elected as Speaker in 1993 I voted for him. I voted for him again in 1997. I know this man. I know that he is fair. I respect him. I know he does his job as well as anyone.
As a member of the House and as a friend, have I always agreed with every decision that he has made? No. I think that my good friend the Speaker sometimes is too soft on all of us and sometimes I would expect him to be a little tougher.
He is a good referee. He is a good umpire. I find it very strange that in this motion of censure the word “partiality” would be used, that the good Speaker would be accused of partiality. There is not a drop of partiality in his blood.
What I find interesting is that the Speaker allowed 410 motions with respect to the clarity bill. What does that suggest, hon. members? That suggests to me that the Speaker bent over absolutely backward to allow every possible motion, every possible amendment to allow the Bloc in this particular case, the opposition, the mover to—