February 22, 1951 (21st Parliament, 4th Session)

Mr. Pouliot:

He reminds me of Cicero when he spoke against Catiline. Apparently he lost all sense of proportion. He gave us a fine Lenten sermon on our duties as members of parliament, on our standards of life and on the ethics of the sponsor of the bill. Why did he waste his energies like that? I believe in making the least effort at any time. Why did he show such indignation over a matter like this? He had no reason to be indignant.
I am glad the storm is over and we have come back to sunshine. The hon. member spoke of sunshine. Is it necessary to have bad weather in order to celebrate Dominion day and Victoria day properly? The hon. member said that members of parliament were not serious. Let me tell him that one may not be serious even when one is speaking solemnly. He knows that.
I am in favour of the bill and I hope it will be passed. Whether it is to be brought into force now or on January 1 does not matter to me. I seldom agree with the leader of the opposition, but let me tell him that he has offered the first sensible argument against the bill. I am glad to be able to say that, because this bill does not entail a matter of major policy. The same argument could have been used by a Liberal. Even if it was used by the leader of the opposition I must admit that it carries weight.