Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was going to attempt to refrain from speaking to this recommendation but I am afraid, sitting here listening to my colleagues, I cannot sit here in silence. I would suggest that I probably will not change anybody's mind on this particular subject, but I need to take this opportunity to put this on the public record because this conversation is bordering on contradictory at the least, and probably absurd at the most.
Anyway, some of the things that are being raised here on the issue of fairness are very interesting points. The Conflict Commissioner, according to the testimony we heard, is the definitive authority on conflict of interest in the Northwest Territories. There is no one else to whom to appeal, given her authority to make decisions and judgments with respect to Members.
I think that all Members should be concerned about fair and due process, if they have an allegation made against them, have a complaint made against them, and that is a fundamental right that we have as Members. There is a concept that you cannot fight an allegation and that is very true. An allegation is that. Once an allegation of conflict of interest is laid, the damage is practically done.
There is an obligation, for all Members' sake, you know -- forget about my situation -- that there be a level of fairness and understanding on the part of the person who is going to sit in judgment of you. So I think that when we talk about fairness, we need to not only think about the fairness to the Commissioner, but to the fairness of the people she is going to judge.
It is fine to say, "Well, you know, she was new at the job and you know, she did not necessarily know. We all make mistakes. We are not perfect." Those are nice platitudes but unfortunately, yes, people's careers and reputations are at stake. If such things as the Member states are not an issue -- for example, whether the Conflict of Interest Commissioner took notes or not. Could I suggest to you that that is a very fundamental and important step to take...
-- Interjection