Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Winnipeg--Transcona for his very thoughtful comments and for pointing out the reasons why the New Democratic Party is supporting the Bloc motion today.
I do not know about other members, but it strikes me that since September 11, probably 99% of the letters, the e-mails and the phone calls that I have received from people in my constituency of Vancouver East, as well as across the country, have been on the critical issue of what happened on September 11. People are terribly concerned about the attacks that took place, the loss of life and what impact that has had on families and people of the United States. They are also concerned about what the response will be.
It strikes me that there is an assumption out there, a legitimate belief by the people of Canada, that it will be the members of parliament who will not only debate the issue, if Canada is to be involved in sending Canadian troops as part of some sort of effort, but who will also vote in the House. I think people believe that. It is quite astounding that when the debate unfolds, people will realize that even members of parliament have not been meaningfully involved in that kind of process.
The indications are, from what we have heard so far, that the government may not abide by that true tradition of parliamentary practice and democracy of ensuring that members voices are heard so that we can reflect the views of our constituents.
I appreciate the member for Winnipeg--Transcona for giving some historical lessons about how far we have come in terms of our own practices, particularly under the Liberal government and what it sees as its own practice versus the need to sustain democracy in this very environment.
At what point did this change begin to take place? He outlined how during the gulf war there was a vote in the House. Now, 10 years later, we are at a point where we are debating whether or not members will have a voice that really counts in terms of a vote. Could the member comment on that?