Mr. Brand:

I wonder if the Minister of Justice (Mr. Cardin) realizes what he is doing to our country, to the house, and to the honour that this house has had over these many years in our history. I submit that the responsibility for what is happening falls on his shoulders.

This man, in a moment of petulance, brought the business of government and the affairs of a nation to a halt. Then, I hear some members to my left blaming it on the party which I represent. It is inconceivable to me that this sort of thing can happen in this country. I am sorry indeed to have to say that the minister has sowed the wind and not only this parliament but the people of Canada will reap the whirlwind. I say it is up to him now to stand up in his place like a man and make the specific accusations; make them now before the nation, before this parliament.

[DOT] (5:50 p.m.)

The idea of having a judicial inquiry which may drag on for a long time and leave a

Administration of Justice cloud of sexual involvement with this alleged spy over the Privy Councillors, is something which is incomprehensible to me. I think there is a very serious charge here that has to be abrogated by the minister. I think it is up to him now, not next week or next month, to stand up like a man, face his peers, and make his accusations.

Mr. Brand:

Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that the hon. member for Villeneuve is still criticizing the decision of the Chair, and I think he should be restrained from carrying on in this manner.

Mr. Brand:

I should like to bring to the attention of the house that Your Honour has already ruled that there is a prima facie case of privilege here; yet this decision is being argued by the Minister of Transport.

Mr. Brand:

On a question of privilege-

Mr. Brand:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With all due deference, Mr. Speaker, I should like to refer to the decision you have recently made, and refer the hon. member for Villeneuve and yourself to Provisional Standing Order 12, subsection (1):

Mr. Speaker shall preserve order and decorum, and shall decide questions of order. In explaining a point of order or practice, he shall state the Standing Order or authority applicable to the case. No debate shall be permitted on any such decision, nor shall any such decision be subject to an appeal to the House.