Debates of Nov. 6th, 2023

Public Safety

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is a special day for me because my father was in the gallery for the first time, watching question period. I attempted to take a photo of him. To the extent that I broke the rules, I apologize to all members of the House.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Colleagues, I would like to thank the member for Battle River—Crowfoot and other members who rose on the same issue. I would like to thank the hon. member for Etobicoke Centre for rising to apologize.

This is a good opportunity for me to remind all members that, while the House is in session, we are not to use our devices for phone calls or for recording. These rules are important for all of us, so we can freely exercise our roles as members of Parliament. As we know, we have very clear rules in terms of how the cameras provided by CPAC are used in this place. With the advent of new technologies, we have to be very mindful, so I thank all members for that.

I see the hon. whip for the official opposition rising on the same point of order.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, with respect, it is not enough for the member to just apologize. He must delete what he recorded, because it is against the standing rules.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am certain that all members, who are listening carefully to the Chair, will take it upon themselves to act honourably. I think what the hon. member has raised is an important issue, and I would trust that, when the member presented his apology, he also took corrective action to that effect.

The House resumed from November 2 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Carbon Tax Pause on Home Heating

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

It being 3:22 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Carleton relating to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #441

Business of Supply

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I declare the motion lost.

Alleged Unparliamentary Gesture in the House

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we just had a very important vote for Canadians, and the member for Avalon literally gave the finger to Canadians as he stood to vote for our motion to give them a reprieve on home heating costs. He gave the finger to the senior choosing between heating and eating. He gave the finger to all those struggling to make ends meet in an unaffordable Canada. He gave the finger to all Canadians—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

We are getting close to debate.

I see the hon. member for Avalon rising in response to the point of order.

[Ken McDonald, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I scratched the side of my head with two fingers. If they think it was one finger, that is up to them. They can take it how they like.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. opposition whip.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I would comment that it is very unusual to scratch the side of one's head with one's middle finger as one is voting, and this is the second time I have had to rise in this place when a member of the government party has used that finger motion—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Colleagues, we had a point of order raising a very serious issue of comportment, decorum and respect in the House. The member to whom it was directed rose and indicated that this was not done on purpose.

I am placed in a very difficult situation. If hon. colleagues will allow me, I will take a look at this issue, but let me say this. When members are offered an opportunity to explain their actions and they do, usually the matter is closed.

This has raised some disorder in the House. I will take a look at it, and if necessary, I will come back to the House. I hope this will be the end of the points of order on this particular issue.

The hon. member for South Shore—St. Margarets is rising on a point of order.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as a point of clarification, as a witness—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I just indicated to all members of the House that I am going to take a look at the video and will come back to members if it is necessary.

The hon. member for Northumberland—Peterborough South is rising on a point of order.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the chief whip of our party should be given the appropriate time to give full merit to the situation, as is customary—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I heard the point raised by the hon. member. It is a very serious point. The hon. member it concerned rose to offer an explanation. I am going to review the video on this and come back to the House if necessary.

The hon. member for Gatineau.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a different point of order. I would put to you that during the vote, the catcalls and the very oppressive screaming from the other side are an intimidation and bullying tactic by members of the opposition to all members of this place—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

That strikes me as being on the same matter, and I have already explained to this House what I am going to do on it. If there are no related points of order on this, I am going to suggest that we move on to the business of the House.

I recognize the hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot and hope he heard my statement.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I think if you look throughout the Standing Orders, you will see very clearly that when concerns are brought forward in this House, specifically when the chief opposition whip brings forward a concern, it is absolutely essential for and incumbent upon the Chair to ensure that the evidence being presented is heard in its entirety, as that is key to ensuring we can perform our parliamentary duties in this place. Whether the governing party or other parties like it or not, it is incumbent upon the Chair to ensure that the chief opposition whip has a chance to be heard.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Let me assure all members that I understood very clearly the substance of what was raised and the act that was raised. I offered the member who was accused of doing the act an opportunity to explain it to the House and present his apologies. The member gave an explanation.

I am going to take this matter back. There is no more reason for us to dispute this matter, aside from holding up the affairs of this House. Let me reassure all members that I look at all of their interventions very carefully, but at this point, I have not heard a new point of order being raised.

The hon. member for Grande Prairie—Mackenzie.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important for us to consider what has just happened in this House. A member, the chief opposition whip, brought forward very compelling proof, with video evidence—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am going to ask the hon. member for Grande Prairie—Mackenzie to get right to the point so we can move on with the affairs of the House.