Madam Speaker, there might be something fair in that reproof in that I have been so busy critiquing the disastrous policy record of the government over the last five years that I just have not had time to fully engage in all of the parliamentary associations I might well have wished to.
If the government stops keeping me busy with all these flaws and problems in its legislative agenda, I might find time to get more engaged in some of these other areas, but that is really sort of beside the point.
The important point here is that it is very legitimate, and I think it is important, for our foreign affairs minister to send a clear signal. Without a doubt it is a signal that the government has been prepared to send in other cases, such as that involving the former finance minister.
I hope this is not about partisanship or about looking for excuses. It would not take much for the foreign affairs minister to send that signal and to work with our diplomatic representatives to say that we want to ensure strong Canadian representation, and a strong Canadian voice on the world stage.
Is that really so much to ask?