Mr. Speaker, I do not intend to take much time to review this. It is quite obvious, and I think most members would agree, that the member does not have a very legitimate point.
He has identified that Standing Order 56(1) gives the authority to utilize this particular article for the management of the business of the House, the arrangement of its proceedings and so on. Therefore, it is applicable to a very broad range of usage.
The hon. member supports his argument by reading from the French text of a motion that I moved in English, translating it himself back to English and using that definition as being the one that is applicable. The Speaker will know that has absolutely no value in this place.
The motion I moved is the one that I moved, not the translation that I provided to colleagues across the way for matters of convenience. I could have moved it in French, of course, and I can move it in English, but there is no rule in the House that says I have to move it in both. I did not. I moved it in one language and the only one that I moved it in on this particular occasion happens to be the one in English.
I know the member across the way is probably still feeling the pressure as a result of question period today, but I will not be provoked by that. I will continue to refer to and respond to what has been raised.
He has referred to the unprecedented usage of the motion. The motion has been used on several occasions in the past. Standing Order 56(1) has been utilized in the management of the House to do such things as pass several readings of a bill in one day. It has been used to introduce a bill and pass it at all stages in one day. It has been used in bills that involve a charge against the crown. It has been used to provide greater compensation, including to members of parliament as early as a few days ago. It has been used on a post office bill to settle a labour dispute, and so on.
It has also been alleged that this could be used to in some way eliminate the opposition and get all bills through in one day.
I give credit to those who came before me for devising this rule and it was not even the same government. It was the government of which the leader of the member across was a member when this rule was devised. It provides that any 25 members can stop its use, which ensures that the minority will be protected. That is why in a Chamber of 301 members, 25 members can actually prevent the use of this particular device.