Access to Information Act  Madam Speaker, I am somewhat hopeful that I might have a better chance of getting a response from my colleague from Winnipeg. Many of the quotes that the New Democrats are using in their speaking lines are quotes that are actually from before the amendments were made, and there were a number of amendments made to the legislation that we are debating today.

Access to Information Act  Madam Speaker, just to seek clarification, does the member opposite believe there were absolutely no amendments brought forward to the legislation?

Access to Information Act  Madam Speaker, obviously, I do not share the opinions of the member opposite. We made a commitment, and that commitment will be realized by the eventual passage of this legislation. There is no question that the legislation includes measures that will allow for more accountability and transparency.

Access to Information Act  Madam Speaker, it is somewhat nice to see a bit of division between the unholy alliance at times. I listen to Conservative after Conservative speak. I think the Conservatives have their collective head in the sand here. They do not recognize a good thing when they actually see it.

Access to Information Act  Madam Speaker, the member's last statement is just not true. The legislation would bring forward new measures that would ensure more transparency and accountability. That is not a speaking point. That is the reality of the legislation we are debating. Many would question why the Conservatives have chosen to vote against the legislation that would provide those measures, whether it is through ministerial mandate letters, which is a new provision, or not.

Access to Information Act  Madam Speaker, consistently Conservative after Conservative stands and tries to give what I would classify as a false impression. We know that within the legislation there will be more accountability, transparency, and proactive disclosure. The commissioner will have more authority.

Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act  Mr. Speaker, I would ask you to re-canvass the House to see if, in fact, there is unanimous consent, as the member across the way suggested, with regard to Bill C-64, please.

Access to Information Act  Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, the member is wrong. Things will not get worse. In fact, in a year from now, I suspect that the member across the way will regret many of the things he has said. Let me give a specific example. The NDP has always fought proactive disclosure. That member in particular was one of the members who led the fight against proactive disclosure for members of Parliament.

Access to Information Act  Mr. Speaker, the opposition may choose to ask a question 25 times. When I say 25 that is conservative, in the real sense of the word. A question can be asked many times, but if the answer does not change, it does not mean that the answer is not good. It could imply that the question is not good or that the person did not understand the answer.

Access to Information Act  Mr. Speaker, let me deal with the relevant part first. The member quoted from a mandate letter. We know that Stephen Harper never made mandate letters public. We now have a Prime Minister who has made mandate letters public because Canadians have a right to know what those priorities are for the government of the day.

Access to Information Act  Mr. Speaker, I do not share the same concern that the member does. Ultimately those decisions are appealable to a commissioner who has more authority as a direct result of this very legislation, which, in all likelihood, the member across the way is going to be voting against.

Access to Information Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by reflecting on one of the questions that was posed as to why the Liberals want to push this forward, yet no one else inside the chamber sees its merit. It is like a flashback of sorts, because this is not the first time that has taken place in regard to this very same issue.

Access to Information Act  Mr. Speaker, here we have substantial legislation, where for the first time in the last three decades plus, as the President of the Treasury Board has talked about, we have legislation that is going to significantly change our access to information system. However, once again, we see the Conservatives resisting change.

Privilege  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the information as noted and return with some thoughts on it at a later time.

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time.