Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Cariboo—Prince George for contributing to this evening's debate. I will say, at the outset, a couple of refutations and then ask him a question.
First, he mentioned criminality and the breaking of rules. There is no evidence from yesterday's testimony or evidence yet heard by the committee that anything unlawful or criminal occurred.
The member talked about the vigorous questioning by all parties yesterday at the committee hearing as attempts to soil her character. I would put it to him, in fact, that this was committee members doing exactly what they are empowered to do and should be empowered to do, to ask questions of witnesses that appear. I think it is unfortunate.
Mr. Speaker, you, in an intervention, said that language is important in this debate. The member used the term “demoted” and I thought we had gotten past that. Even yesterday the former attorney general said it was an honour for her to serve, however briefly, as Minister of Veterans Affairs.
What I would point out is that the narrative that the member seemed to weave into his comments was that there is an ethical issue. What I put to him is, if that indeed is his true core belief, if that is indeed why he is here at nearly 10 o'clock at night to bring this important motion forward on Thursday, and I salute him for doing that, but if that is indeed the issue, then would not the best forum for getting to the root of what is perceived to be an ethical lapse, the Ethics Commissioner? The Ethics Commissioner could do an investigation and compel witnesses and documents, swear individuals and actually get to the root of this very matter.