Debates of June 17th, 2008

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Order. The hon. member for Willowdale is rising on a point of order. We are going to hear it.

Martha Hall Findlay Willowdale, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would suggest to the members opposite that my concern is actually no laughing matter.

When I was referring in my question regarding Louise Arbour, the President of the Treasury Board very loudly yelled out, “She's a disgrace”. I would ask if the member opposite would in fact do the dignified thing and withdraw his comments.

Vic Toews President of the Treasury Board

Mr. Speaker, this gives me an opportunity to clarify my comments.

The comments that Louise Arbour has made in respect of the state of Israel and the people of Israel are in fact a disgrace, and I stand by those words.

Pierre Lemieux Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, based on discussions that I have had with my colleagues, I think that you will find, should you seek it, unanimous consent to return to presenting reports from committees so that I, as the chair of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan, may table the special committee's first report.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Is it agreed?

Jacques Gourde Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

Mr. Speaker, I seek the unanimous consent of the House to table a petition in memory of Karine Méthot.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Is there unanimous consent of the House to revert to petitions?

Jacques Gourde Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I present this petition today on behalf of the Karine Méthot family.

Wayne Easter Malpeque, PE

Mr. Speaker, a member opposite, in statements by members prior to question period, made a statement that a number of us had voted with the government as if we were against the carbon tax.

The fact of the matter is that the Prime Minister's Office put out misinformation in a media release on the motion that was passed by committee. The motion passed by committee is for a study on the carbon issue.

Guy Lauzon Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, I do not think there is any question that this is a point of debate and not a point of order.

I might just quote this:

That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food study the effects of a carbon tax and any other broad based environmental tax and ensure that Canadian farmers are not saddled with a carbon tax which would further increase their input costs and hurt their competitiveness.

That is what the member opposite voted for.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

There is another point of order. Members seem to have gotten into the rule books today in a very substantial way. The hon. member for Honoré-Mercier.

Pablo Rodriguez Honoré-Mercier, QC

Mr. Speaker, I will be brief. During question period, in reply to a question from my colleague for Hochelaga, the Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec cited a number of projects from a list. I would like him to table this list pursuant to the Standing Orders.