Mr. Speaker, I agree with my hon. colleague from the Reform Party, who comes from an area of the country where I grew up. I also do not believe this is about you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, I plan to defeat the motion. I was going to defeat it the second it was brought forward.
The hon. member for Fraser Valley mentioned the frustration that we feel because of what the government is doing. He is a member of the official opposition. Imagine how he would feel being a member of the fourth party in the House of Commons, trying to get issues across.
One of the most eloquent speakers in the history of the country debated Bill C-20, the hon. member for Winnipeg—Transcona. I believe he was speaking on behalf of all Canadians in wanting that debate to be extended. There are many people who have expert opinions and very wise opinions on Bill C-20, but of course they were not allowed to speak to it.
The member also knows that it is not just this government. From 1984 to 1993 we watched the Conservative government ram through legislation like the GST, the most hated tax the country ever saw. It was rammed through the House and then former prime minister Brian Mulroney stacked the Senate with his friends. John Buchanan from Nova Scotia was one of those appointed to the Senate. His whole purpose was to say yes to the GST.
The frustration we feel in opposition is quite evident, but the government backbenchers must be awfully frustrated as well. Can the hon. member shed some light on how backbenchers must feel when the government is controlled by the Prime Minister's office and not necessarily parliamentarians when legislation is brought forward? They do not get a chance to debate the legislation as well.