Madam Speaker, I will tell the member exactly why we have to have a secret ballot for the election of chairs of committees. The reason: because of the intimidation that flows from the Prime Minister's Office. That is exactly the reason why. When the PMO decides on the chosen one, and when those people on the government side do not put up their hands to vote for that chosen one, there are dramatic consequences. That is why it has to be a secret ballot. That is why it is the only way that the best individual can be chosen to chair a committee.
Again, I must repeat: The individual chosen will be a member of the government. We are not fighting for opposition here. We are fighting for democracy. Let us have the best person on that committee come forward and be put in the chair. That is why it has to be a secret ballot.
Talk about bombast, Madam Speaker, I am incensed with the member who has just spoken. He now says that this is not a problem, and why would we not send it back to committee? I will tell the House why we should not send it back to committee. Because it was legitimately passed by that committee in the first place.
I ask the member: Why are they afraid to let their own members stand in this House and vote for this concurrence motion from the committee? That is the question that should be asked, not why it is that we are trying to fight for democracy and they are trying to stop it.