Mr. Speaker, I have to take exception to a couple of things the hon. member said, and I respect very much the work she has done. However I believe we can make it work. If it works in other jurisdictions, why can it not work here?
We heard an example given by her own colleague who had experience in the Ontario legislature, where all bills and motions that went through were deemed votable. If it can work there, why can it not work here? Are we somehow that much different that it cannot work here?
She expressed the concern that there would be too many whipped votes. I maintain it must continue to be a free vote in order for it to be meaningful and that we must take more of an interest in the issues that are before the House. This has the potential to revitalize parliament. Therefore, we should try to make it work, and we can make it work.
Why are the bills or motions not deemed votable even when all the criteria are met? Obviously, they are not and that is a concern.
Last, if an issue arises that the government has had in the House, would that not indicate that Canadians still had a concern about that issue and that we should still listen to those concerns? I do not think that is an argument for not bringing an issue to parliament.