Mr. Speaker, I listened to the hon. member with interest. I know he has a very deep and genuine understanding of the need for greater democracy, which is also very much a part of this debate and very much a part of the effort that has to be undertaken by governments of all levels to reinforce and reinstate some ethical standard and some public confidence.
I want to go directly to the question that I believe has raised the ire of Canadians when it comes to obligations that exist, perceived or real, and the response by government to in essence enter into a power buying arrangement wherein it receives something of benefit and in turn the obligation to support, either through electoral or through financial means.
What does the hon. member suggest we should do to ensure that there is greater transparency, greater openness, leading to greater public confidence in that regard? Part of it is the issues that I believe he feels very passionately about. That is increasing the sense that the general public has in a control, a mechanism in which it can participate directly between elections.
I would like to give the hon. member an opportunity to speak to that.