Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my colleague from Edmonton—Strathcona, who has more experience than I do on the legal aspect of the matter, and who has, in my view, summed up my thinking very well on the reasonableness of this motion. We are not saying that the member is to be expelled, that the matter is then closed and that is all we have left to do. It is true that certain avenues remain open to him, and it is possible that things will change.
At this time, we have to decide that he will be suspended, and that we will look into what kinds of measures could then be taken. We must face the fact that expulsion is a fairly drastic measure. It has not happened very often, and it has happened at truly crucial times in our history.
I therefore think it is really important that the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs consider the matter, and indicate very clearly what procedure should be followed from this point on. If we have to go as far as expulsion, we will do it then.