May 27, 1980 (32nd Parliament, 1st Session)

Mr. Bill Clarke (Vancouver Quadra):

Madam Speaker, 1 hope to be able to convince Your Honour that I have a question of privilege in relation to a matter which affects most hon. members of this Parliament and, indeed, many of the members of the Thirty-first Parliament. It is a matter that has just come to my attention through an inquiry made to the office of the Clerk of this House. The problem is that a custom, nay a tradition, of Parliament may be destroyed by a simple administrative decision.
The Thirty-first Parliament was unique to many people for many reasons. For example, for some it was their only stint as a member of Parliament. It may or may not have been the shortest Parliament on record; the record will show whether it was or was not. It was unquestionably the first Progressive Conservative administration for 16 years. I am confident that it will prove to have been the first, but not the last, of which the right hon. member for Yellowhead (Mr. Clark) was prime minister. It may be the only one during which the right hon. member for Mount Royal (Mr. Trudeau) was leader of the official opposition, as they tell me he is going to retire again.
Members of the House and, indeed, visitors to the Parliament buildings stroll through the corridors here and view various contributions to the history of this country. I am informed reliably now that composite photographs of the members of the Thirty-first Parliament of Canada will not be produced.