Mr. Speaker, the way to demonstrate respect for the people of this country is to give every citizen the same opportunity to have a representative in the House of Commons. The government has just denied that basic principle.
He cannot hide behind the time it takes to call a byelection. The Prime Minister could have called a byelection in Perth--Middlesex at the same time if he wanted to. He chose to deepen the democratic deficit. He is taking it out on the people of Perth--Middlesex. Why are they being treated with such a double standard?