The hon. member for Wetaskiwin is a learned and long time member of the House. He knows full well we do not refer to the presence or absence of members in the House. He knows full well that members are occupied in other parliamentary duties, in committee and all over the place, so that their absence here does not necessarily reflect the absence of members of parliament doing parliamentary work.
In the House of Commons on June 7th, 2000. See this statement in context.