Mr. Speaker, the corollary to one being innocent until proven guilty in civil law is that the money is not paid until there is a judgment. The case he refers to is a finding of a court. It has been done. If there is a pecuniary interest or a private interest that flows from that, it makes imminent sense that the member could not come back into the House and deal with the issue of that judgement before committee or whatever.
The Conservatives believe their own speeches when they talk about legitimate lawsuits, potential liability, contingent liability, and potential conflicts of interest. If we say that just by the slapping down of a lawsuit and it becomes real, then why does the member for West Nova not just pay the $2 million? That is not the way it works. It has to go to court. This case will not go to court. Brian Mulroney will not take this case to court against the member for West Nova.
Brian Mulroney received $1 million just in costs for the complete destruction of his reputation. I am not saying the member forWest Nova does not have an equal and better reputation, he probably does, but he is being sued for $2 million after Mr. Mulroney received $1 million, and only for costs. The case is never going to court. It is not money in the bank. The member should know that.
He should also know that we are free to sue, but we are also free to defend in this country in civil litigation. It is the whole basis of our criminal justice system which carries over to civil liability. It is the reason we have freedom in this country.