Many Members spoke against the motion because they felt that it meant that prisoners would have the right to be MLAs. Other Members, such as the honourable Dennis Patterson, said that the issue on whether prisoners in jail should vote in the territorial election should be a decision made by people elected in this Assembly. It was said that we were abdicating our responsibility by referring this matter to the courts.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the government did not choose to have a recent debate in the House on the issue, nor have they presented amendments to the House on the Election Act. The issue was simply swept under the carpet as not being an appropriate item on this House's agenda. Nor, Mr. Speaker, did the media recognize this as an important constitutional issue. Rather, I was mocked and ridiculed in the media for raising a very important issue of the fundamental and democratic rights of all Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of Canada has now ruled on this issue. In one ruling, on an almost identical provision in our Elections Act of May 1993, the Supreme Court said that these provisions preventing inmates from voting were clearly unconstitutional. I understand that many decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada are often long and complicated because the questions raised are so complex. This is not the case, Mr. Speaker. The judgment of the Supreme Court on this issue was unprecedented in its brevity -- it was short and to the point -- an absolute prohibition on voting is simply unconstitutional.

I am concerned that this House has made a mockery of this issue, which is such a clear violation of all persons' constitutional rights. I am also concerned that the media made light of this very important matter. Mr. Speaker, I have always been known as a fighter for the underdog, and I will continue to fight for issues I believe important and worthy of protection, regardless of prevailing public winds. Mr. Speaker, I will be making further statements on the issue of justice in the days to come. Mahsi cho.

---Applause