Dear colleagues, I would like to begin by congratulating all of you on your success in last November's election. As we know, getting used to the House is no easy matter, particularly if one is newly elected.
But as time goes along, the House starts to feel like home. To all those in the class of 2000, I extend a hearty welcome.
Having allegedly been around here for the past hundred years, a few observations might be in order.
We all know this is a place for debates, announcements, questions, petitions, a place where the public interest is pursued as seen from different perspectives and where we can also rise above partisanship.
It has been said that parliamentarians have a noble task to perform for they have the unique privilege of speaking for their electors, of engaging in the exploration of the long term and in anticipating the needs of generations to come.
As parliamentarians we have the confidence of those who elected us and an obligation to those who did not cast their vote for us. As parliamentarians we all have the special mandate to implement the commitments made in the election campaign by our respective parties. As parliamentarians we all have an obligation to make this place productive, creative, relevant and meaningful.
Finally, the noble role assigned to the parliamentarian requires also that we treat this Chamber with care, gently and softly, respecting its rules and ensuring that the next generation of parliamentarians inherits an institution worthy of respect.
Let me note, as I did in 1997 when I had the honour to perform the same role, that the rules are silent on whether or not candidates for the position of Speaker can speak in the House before the vote is taken. Obviously, such a rule would give interested Canadians an opportunity to hear and see the candidates, perhaps for the first time, as most likely would be the case for the 47 newly elected members.
Such a rule, if adopted during the life of this 37th parliament, would become effective at the opening of the next Parliament of Canada. In doing so, Canadians would finally see institutionalized in this event a greater degree of transparency and informed choice in keeping with the growing expectations the public has from this venerable and vibrant institution.
We shall now proceed with the vote.
Pursuant to the standing orders the House will now proceed to elect a Speaker. The list of members who have withdrawn or are ineligible as candidates has been placed on each member's desk and is available at the table.
The list of members who are eligible as candidates has also been placed on each member's desk. It is available at the table and has been placed in each polling station.
After the Clerk has unsealed the ballots, I will suggest a method of proceeding which will help to accelerate the voting process.
It is quite clear that members know how to proceed. Hon. members are now asked to proceed with the vote. Once they vote they are to leave the area and take their seats.
The polling booths are now open.
(Members were issued ballots and marked their ballots in secret at voting stations)