Madam Speaker, I want to say to the hon. member for Davenport that I have immense respect for him. He has made significant contributions over his time in this place. He is a dean in the Commons.
However I have to take some issue with the suggestion that there should be higher priorities than the trust that Canadians can have in the cabinet.
My question for him is along those lines. He certainly understands the importance of confidence. He understands the significance that rests in a minister whose judgment, and not only his judgment but whose word, has been questioned. I do not ascribe any motives to his very spirited defence of the Minister of National Defence. However I do question whether he agrees that the standard expected must be higher and whether in fact partaking in a debate in which we are very much putting before Canadians legitimate concerns that members of the opposition have, and I suggest that members of his government may have, about those standards, must be examined and debated. Surely it is worth taking the time to do that.
I was glad to hear him reiterate the word of the House leader of the government that this matter will be put to a vote and will in fact be sent to that committee. However, does he not agree that it is worth taking the time to at least have the discussion in this place when it comes to ethics, when it comes to standards and when it comes to the truth that is expected from ministers of the crown?