Hon. Leo Housakos: Thank you, Senator Quinn. I want to put on the record that I have enjoyed working with you immensely on Transport and Communication. You made great a contribution.

Of course, the electorate will have the final word, but in between those four years, they are paying approximately $127 million a year for us to be here and do some legislative work, wordsmithing, and speak on their behalf, advocate and hold the government to account.

Do you not think it’s important that we fulfill our constitutional duty, especially on something that is as controversial as this? You were on the front lines and saw how controversial it was. You said in your speech that you were torn when it came to this bill.

So why would we fold as an institution at the feet of the government so quickly? On far less in the past, we have sent legislation back and insisted. Don’t you think that after all we’ve heard from so many witnesses on such a controversial issue, we should — not overrule the elected body; we should await the final democratic decision of the electorate — but don’t you think we have a legislative responsibility on behalf of all of those voices to insist at least one more time?