Thank you. I apologize.

I must say that Mr. Blaikie was passionate throughout the three-month filibuster until today, until this week, until the end of proceedings last week, when there was a sudden apparent backroom liaison between the NDP and the Liberals, and Mr. Lauzon suddenly came up with a confected, on-the-fly motion, which is still under consideration here today. I think Mr. Blaikie laid out very well, from his point of view, as Mr. Therrien, Ms. Vecchio, Mr. Nater and Mr. Lukiwski did, the opposition's desire to call the only individual who can fully explain the decision to prorogue Parliament last August.

I regret the fact that by running out the clock, unfortunately successfully with this filibuster, the committee has been placed in a position where backs are against the wall and where priorities are bringing us to the point where the united opposition has been effectively defeated by the Liberal filibuster's running out the clock.

I agree with Mr. Blaikie that whatever motion might have been passed by this committee calling on the Prime Minister, inviting the Prime Minister to speak for three hours, for one hour or to just show up, that was highly unlikely. I think that it is the responsibility of committees, as we often hear from the Liberal House leader, to stand with a mind of its own, accountable to the constituents who elected each of us individually and to the appointments by our respective parties to deliver accountable, responsible performances in the activities of the various committees.

In this committee, the mother of committees, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, it is exceptionally disappointing. This is one of the most disappointing moments I've had in 13 years in elected office in the House of Commons, where the will of the majority members has been defied by a minority for the most venal of reasons.

I'll leave it there. I know that we won't get to a vote today. The time for a complete and thoughtful report of this committee, I think, has already run out. I suspect that Mr. Blaikie, in making a report essential to his position to vote with the Liberals, has more to do with the supplementary or dissenting report that he, the Conservatives and the Bloc will be enabled to attach to the report, which has been, I'm sure, competently assembled by our analysts.

I think that is a false victory. It's an imperfect victory, and I think we should all hang our heads in shame at the way this committee has been dysfunctional over the last three-plus months.

Thank you.

Peter Kent

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