Madam Speaker, I would be glad to respond to the question.
I noticed that the member for Saint John—Rothesay qualified the letter by including “where privacy interests exists”. Of course, privacy interests are sacrosanct in Canada. There is a reason why we have privacy interests in Canada, and we protect them at all costs. There is nothing that prevents this Parliament from receiving the documentation that we have asked for and protecting the privacy interests of those who may be implicated. Therefore, there is no reason for the Prime Minister to defy the Speaker.
Imagine if the Speaker ordered documents, knowing full well that privacy interests are impaired. However, they are not. This is not an issue of charter rights being impaired. This is an issue of the integrity of this House and the transparency of the government.