Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think potentially, yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The board has had very detailed explanations of, for instance, certain security instances, of certain security challenges that were met. Other examples would be labour relations cases and the negotiations mandate for collective bargaining. I think those are good examples.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  You're very kind.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think the board has actually taken measures to address this vulnerability. The problem is that if there are scandals, or if there are problems that make headlines, then there's a contagion there. It spreads like wildfire. The impression of difficulty spreads like wildfire, and

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's absolutely uncommon, and in a sense it's a sad event, because it says we can't get to a middle place.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I confess we have not costed that out, because it would depend on the composition, the structure, and so on. It was only in rereading the order of reference today that I saw that it's with a view to substituting for the Board of Internal Economy an independent agency. All I cou

Procedure and House Affairs committee  An independent agency along the lines of the independent agency in the United Kingdom could certainly be established. We could learn from their mistakes and organize ourselves in that way. I feel that we still need an authority in charge here, in the House, for the administratio

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Through you, Mr. Chairman, I can't think of one. I have to say in fairness and to appreciate how seriously the members of the board take their responsibilities, they were very loath to get to that point. It was something that divided them, and there was no option.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, indeed, Mr. Richards. We've been anxious as well to see how that was received. I'm afraid I don't have that information with me, but I can certainly provide it to the clerk for the committee's use.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The U.K. model offers some use. Again, in the case of the U.K., it was act in haste and repent at leisure. The scandal broke just before the election and they were desperate to do something. We've learned a lot from them, but that model does work, ultimately.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  You want to know whether I believe…

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think you're quite correct in saying that part.... When I talked about Speakers being very deft at handling their role as chairs, it is the case that the Speaker will say: “Well, you know, we obviously have some way to go, and people have to think about this. They have to talk

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We don't want to infringe on your work, but we are willing to come back.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Well, I think—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Well, I think it's important to remember that there is no majority. The majority doesn't belong to the government or the opposition; there is an equal number of voices, and the Speaker, if there's an equal number of voices, is left with the unhappy role of weighing in. Speakers