Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order under Rule 23(m). Mr. Speaker, the Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes, in his Member's statement on Friday, October 26th, made reference to a Supreme Court justice and comments made on the matter of elections by secret vote. Mr. Speaker, without the benefit of the transcript, I had thought Mr. Ootes was referring to a decision of the Supreme Court on election matters. I was concerned that Mr. Ootes might have been breaking our rules with respect to sub-judiciary but I was not aware of any court case dealing with secret ballots before our Supreme Court.

Mr. Speaker, I decided to review the unedited Hansard at the first opportunity when I noted the reference Mr. Ootes was making in respect to the Supreme Court justice. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ootes' comments concerned me. I would like to quote those comments as contained on page 1079 of the unedited Hansard:

The Supreme Court justice commented to me a while back, Mr. Speaker, his feelings of disgust that we still have leadership elections by secret vote. Poignant words of someone of the stature of a Supreme Court justice.

Mr. Speaker, it is very disturbing to me -- and I expect to the Supreme Court justice -- to hear his comments repeated in the Legislative Assembly on a political issue that could be an issue that could go before the courts. Mr. Speaker, I request your ruling on whether Mr. Ootes has breached our rules by offending the practices and precedents of the House by crossing the lines that separate the legislative branch of government from the judiciary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.