Elizabeth May
Mr. Speaker, as I was unable to rise earlier tonight on time allocation on Bill C-69, I will say, parenthetically, that I find that time allocation even more offensive than this one, because we were time allocated in committee as well.
I had clause-by-clause amendments on Bill C-69, and I had clause-by-clause amendments on Bill C-59. At least, to the credit of the Bill C-59 time management, we were allowed to debate all the amendments on Bill C-59, on public security, but we were stopped from debating two full bills’ worth of amendments on omnibus Bill C-69.
Why is it required at this point, on a bill that has much that is good in it, to stop this place from being able to have a full debate? It is anti-democratic.
Ralph Goodale – Minister for Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the hon. member’s interventions and her comments with respect to Bill C-59.
There has been a huge amount of input already, including ample public consultation for a full year before we even introduced the legislation in the first place.
Now, at this stage of the legislation, there will be another five hours of discussion in the House, and following that, another five hours of discussion in the House, which should be ample time for all serious proposals and propositions and comments to come forward, based upon what has already been the most extensive–