Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I did not hear the Leader of the Government in the House who apparently said, this morning, that I was satisfied. It must be the result of some sort of amnesia. Those members who followed what happened will know that I was glad that Mr. Gagliano could appear before the committee, but disappointed that I could not exercise my right. As our motion says, government appointments should be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration. That means we make sure that the candidates have the required qualifications, experience and ability to perform the duties to which they are being appointed. The committee, the opposition and members of the government, whether they like it or not, must be able to exercise that right.
Anyone reading the blues of the committee will know that that was not the case. First, we will have to rewrite all this and make sure genuine consideration is possible. Second, we must make sure that such consideration takes places even during periods when the House is not sitting, especially when such periods can end with a prorogation as we have seen recently. During that time, numerous appointments were made and we could not even bring the individuals before the committee and make sure, as I said before, that we examined their credentials, their qualifications and their skills. It is ridiculous. It is not serious and it means that, in Canada, democracy ends once the Prime Minister is elected. From that point on, everything depends on him and his goodwill.