Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some of the Members have noted it is very difficult to judge your own. In other jurisdictions, in other occupations and walks of life, there are different precedents taken for investigations. For example, if you are an RCMP officer and you are under investigation for some aspect of your job, you are temporarily reassigned and taken away from your duties, usually with pay. If you are in the medical profession and you are being disciplined by your organization, or a lawyer, the same thing happens. You are taken away from that position, usually with full pay pending the outcome of your case. In the case of politics, parliamentary process has a strong link to traditions and the precedents are set. Over the past couple of years, there have been at least two cases of Premiers who have been involved in investigations of conflict. One was involving the Premier of Alberta, Mr. Klein,
who did not step down and also Mr. Van Zalm, the Premier of British Columbia, who did not step down either. The difference between the Premier and the Minister is, the Minister holds a portfolio of the government and usually steps down in the case of federal or provincial governments. An example would be Sinclair Stevens a few years ago.
There is no precedent in the Canadian parliamentary system where the Premier stepped down during an investigation. Premier Morin is correct in saying that it would set a precedent and probably a wrong precedent. This is one of the ramifications of Mr. Ootes' motion. I do not think Mr. Ootes has made the motion callously or deviously. I have spoken to Mr. Ootes about his motion and I believe Mr. Ootes made the motion honourably. Because of the precedents at this time and because the investigation is just opening now and there is going to be a public inquiry where some of us here today may be subpoenaed to appear before that inquiry, I would be, at this time, voting against the motion. My decision is not based upon the facts as presented, but based on the precedents of office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.