Mr. Speaker, my colleague from the Reform Party has raised a very important issue.
In a country that claims to be a model of democracy but that recently mocked parliamentary democracy as never before by passing a very vague bill on clarity, a bill that, according to the members opposite, was intended to protect the people of Quebec against themselves, we have a pretty strange democratic process, if we consider that the Chief Electoral Officer is appointed by the governing party, the returning officers in each of the Canadian ridings are appointed by the governing party and the Clerk and the Deputy Principal Clerk of the House are appointed by the governing party.
There are also a number of government agency officials that are appointed by the governing party, but at least the governing party has the decency to pretend to consult with the other political parties in the House, in some instances. Does it really take their opinion into account? That is another story. But at least, there is some sort of consultation.
It might be time now to consult more seriously with the political parties for the appointment of the main officials in this House.