Mr. Speaker, I have just realized that one principle can trump another. The Conservatives appointed a minister from one of Canada's largest cities. There is currently an election going on in Repentigny. All we are asking is that he run in this election.
The people of Montreal will decide whether they want him as representative. It is not up to the Prime Minister to decide that. It is up to democracy to do so through a vote. Let the people vote and we will see whether they want him for minister.
We are lucky. The first principle of the Conservatives was that senators should be elected. The Conservatives should drop that principle because if senators were elected, they would not have been able to appoint their minister to the Senate. They should be happy.
What is the point in having a principle of an elected Senate if the Conservative government appoints someone just because it feels like it? It appoints someone and then says this is not a partisan appointment.
If I am not mistaken, Mr. Fortier was an organizer for the Conservatives. This is therefore partisanship. Look who was appointed. Is this not partisanship? In my opinion, this is—