Mr. Speaker, we see it time and time again: deny, distract, delay. This has become the trademark of the government. We will see it again today in the Auditor General's report.
Over 80 times now the government has intervened and shut down debate in the House of Commons. It took it six days, not a full calendar week, to intervene and shut down debate. It did it on what bill? It is on the early election bill, the ability to bring back legislation that will give the Prime Minister a mandate to call an early, a snap election.
Was it important legislation about giving aid to the provinces for health care? Was it a bill to somehow aid our ailing armed forces? Was it a bill about BSE and how to address the crisis in agriculture? Was it something for fisheries? Was it something for students or the average Canadian who would get a break on his or her taxes? What was it about? It was about crass, political advantage. This House leader is following in the footsteps of his predecessor who is being used as a tool to manipulate Parliament, to shut down debate and to time and time again bring disgrace to this place.
Why is the government of the member opposite so intent on denying democratic debate in the House of Commons on important issues? Why is the government and that member so intent and so keen to delay important matters coming to the House of Commons for resolution rather than just this desperate clinging to power?
It reminds me of how Elizabethans used to deny that they wanted sex. Instead, with this government, it is power. It claims to loathe it. It claims to not need it, but it desperately has to hold onto it.
I would ask the House leader to give us his latest spin.