Mr. Speaker, I notice the rather frigid response over there to what is really going to be one of the most defining moments for what the Liberals consider a new government. I do not think they are fooling anyone.
The question the House leader has to answer is this. Beauchesne's makes it quite clear that it is the proper role of the opposition to use debate in the House of Commons to air its concerns and to raise public profile about issues of concern to Canadians. The only tactic available in a free and democratic society is the power to debate in the House. All the cards are held by the government. On this side all we can do is debate and show Canadians that are not happy with it, we propose alternatives and so on.
By shutting down debate, can the House leader not see what is happening? What he saying is the government will not allow a reasonable amount of debate. We debated this motion half a day on Friday and half a day on Monday. It is not like there has been weeks of delaying tactics. It is not like there has been a filibuster to end all filibusters. This is the first motion before us, and we have debated it for two half days. It is not the time for closure.
I reiterate the offer I made earlier in a point of order, which the House leader has chosen to ignore. He has brought in closure because he says that we are up to the same old games, that we will not debate this wisely and judiciously. Here is the offer again. We know what is going on over there. On this side of the House, we will withdraw our amendment and subamendment if the House leader will withdraw his closure motion.
In other words, let us get on with the debate. If we do not have a subamendment, there are no delaying tactics. We just want to debate the issue. If the House leader will withdraw his closure motion, we can continue to debate. He says he is favour of it and so are we.