Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today on a point of privilege. Mr. Speaker, it is an unquestioned right of every Member of this Assembly to speak out on any issue. This is one of the most important, if not the most important privilege that we have as Members of this Assembly. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I note that this privilege has been consistently been recognized by Assemblies throughout Canada and the Commonwealth, and has been affirmed and recognized by the courts in terms of a special status granted to statements made by Members in the Legislature. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow this Assembly will be debating a motion that is fundamental to the very structure and future of this Assembly. We will be debating the most important issue which we have faced in the life of the 13th Assembly, namely the confirmation of our Assembly and our relationships with aboriginal governments and aboriginal leaders.
Given the crucial importance of tomorrow's debate, Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is a vital issue and key to the issue of freedom of speech, that the Speaker be permitted, indeed urged, to participate in tomorrow's debate. While I appreciate that it has been a long-standing parliamentary convention that the Speaker not take part in the debate, with the greatest of respect to this convention, I believe that the privilege of freedom of speech should prevail over this convention for the purpose of tomorrow's debate.
I recognize that one of the main reasons that you do not participate in debate, Mr. Speaker, is to ensure the impartiality of the chair. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the Chairperson of committee of the whole, the Deputy Speaker, both routinely participate in debate. No one could argue that you are less impartial when you are in the chair because of the fact that they participate in the debate. We respect their impartiality in the chair and we also respect their words in the House when they speak in debate.
Mr. Speaker, the same is true of you. While you are in the chair, we respect your neutrality and impartiality. This respect is not eroded if you participate in debate. Mr. Speaker, should you sit in the chair tomorrow, you will be denied the freedom to speak on this very important issue and you will be deprived of the opportunity to air your views. You are the most senior Member of this Legislature and your views should be known on this crucial debate tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker, I believe this is unfair and wrong and that you should not be prevented from participating in the debate tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, your inability to speak tomorrow because of adherence to this convention is an affront to your rights and to the right of every Member in this Legislature to hear your views on this very important issue.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you permit debate on the issue of whether there is a prima facie breach of your privileges and the privileges of every Member in this House. Thank you, with respect, Mr. Speaker.