Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I would rise on a matter of privilege because in Beauchesne's it is very clear that, in fact, when you stand on a matter of privilege you should do it at the first opportunity in which you have it. In making my member's statement, I appealed both to the Conservatives and the New Democrats to come to their senses and get the boundary redistribution issue passed.

Well, upon sitting down in my chair, a member from the official opposition indicated that in fact it has been worked out, that there is indeed something in place to take that into account. The reason why I would argue that it is a matter of privilege, that Elections Manitoba responds to this Chamber. Each one of the 57 MLAs should be involved in any discussions that are taking place, any discussions that are taking place on this critical issue.

I believe, given the comments that I have just heard, that there are indeed negotiations taking place between the official opposition and the government in regard to boundary redistribution. In listening to comments from at least one member of the official opposition, I believe now that there is in fact some sort of an agreement. I, along with the member for The Maples (Mr. Kowalski), do, I would argue, have a right to know if in fact the official opposition has agreed to pass these boundaries prior to the budget. I have been led to believe through heckles that, in fact, the NDP are prepared to do that.

Now, unfortunately, this is a very spontaneous matter of privilege, so I do not know if in fact I can just leave my comments on the record as I have just put without a motion, because my colleague from The Maples is not here to second the nomination; otherwise, I am sure he, too, would be as deeply offended as I if, in fact, there have been negotiations that have come to a conclusion that would see the boundaries put into place prior to the Budget Debate.

So I look both to the government, Madam Speaker, and to the official opposition to indicate to me and my colleague for The Maples as to what is the current status, the current status with negotiations on the passage of the boundaries prior to the next provincial election.

Hon. Darren Praznik (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I recognize fully the comments from the member for Inkster, and as he admits, he will not have the requisite motion for a matter of privilege. Perhaps, we could just deal with this matter for an agreement as a matter of House business. The member was looking for a vehicle in which to raise the matter.

As House leader, I can tell him that the opposition House leader and I have had discussions. I did have discussions last week with both the member for Inkster and the member for The Maples. If I recall correctly, they had indicated to me that they would not be willing to grant unanimous consent to any changes unless they were satisfied that the boundary bill and the bills related to The Elections Finances Act and The Elections Act were passed, actually not just dealt with but dealt with into passage of law in a timely fashion, and that their comments to me as government House leader that they would facilitate an early passage of those two particular pieces of legislation.

With that in mind, we have had discussions between our party leaders, between the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Leader of the official opposition (Mr. Doer) and House leaders around House business. The member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton), although I know I am not within the rules to speak about absence, I do not think anyone would criticize me for mentioning today that he was not able to be here today because of a blizzard in the North that kept him in his constituency. He and I have had discussions about how we could manage this. There are some concepts around that we are trying to ensure that will work. In which case, I will be more than prepared to share that and update my colleagues. I would have done that yesterday, but I was away on government business at a meeting in Ottawa.

So if the member--I will certainly endeavour to speak with him now and bring him up to date on where we are. I appreciate his concern, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I might as well deal with it immediately. We just had a ruling identically the same earlier on today. It is not deemed to be a matter of privilege because the honourable member did not move a motion. Therefore, the matter of privilege is out of order.