Canadian Heritage Committee on Dec. 1st, 2009

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I don't want to interrupt if he's going to keep going, but I think the issue here was the appalling disrespect he showed to representatives from the community. That was the issue.

So now that we've addressed that, he can go back and run all the ten-percenters he wants, in whatever riding he wants. But can we get onto this bill?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Mr. Chair, am I allowed to comment on that?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Calandra.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Again, I went back over the Hansard, Mr. Chair. He calls it appalling behaviour to recount the story of my parents' arrival in this country. He says it's appalling that I recounted that the town they came from in Italy was a devastated community. He finds it appalling that I explained how well this country has done by our family and by Italian immigrants. He finds it appalling that people disagree with him. He finds it appalling that I would express that to the people here. The reason I did not ask them a question is I wanted them to know how I felt.

They purported to be the representatives of all Italians in this country. I can tell you they did not represent the people I talk to, they did not represent me, and I felt it was important to take the time to explain to them how I felt about this bill, knowing full well there would be subsequent rounds where I could ask a question, at which time I did do that.

So I wonder if he could specifically tell me--because he is so frightened of apologizing for what he did, for the disrespect he has shown not just Italian immigrants but all people who might be afraid to come before this committee and speak, who don't have the same confidence--what was insulting about recounting how difficult the circumstances were and how privileged we were to have come to this country.

Failing that, Mr. Chair, again I would ask that you ask the member if he's unwilling to apologize for all of that, apologize for what was truly appalling disrespect for anybody who has come to this country, who doesn't necessarily have the same things he has....

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Any response, Mr. Angus?

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I feel bad for my honourable colleague. He's obviously feeling pretty bruised, but can we move on and get something done today?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Del Mastro.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chair, I move that Mr. Calandra express his concerns to you in writing, and maybe you could seek from the member opposite a response in writing and we can move beyond this.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

A letter to the editor.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Not a letter to the editor, a letter to the chair. If the member doesn't see fit to respond, that's okay, but I am suggesting the member allow the committee to move past this. I think that's what I heard on the other side. Perhaps he could give you something in writing that you could then forward to the honourable member across, and we can consider this matter dealt with for now.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Shall clause 2 carry?

Mr. Del Mastro.

(On clause 2--Recognition)

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chair, I couldn't possibly have planned this, in case anybody is concerned, but this morning the buildings across the water that house the Department of Canadian Heritage were evacuated because of a gas leak. All my materials for this bill are over in that building. I'm trying to get them here. They have allowed somebody into the building, but I will need more than just “shall something carry”. I don't know what I'm voting on, because I don't have any of my materials in front of me.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

That's a good one.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Well, I'm telling you, otherwise—

[An hon. member]

It was on the news.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

I obviously have a lot of things I want to raise on this issue, but I have no materials to work with, so I've sent my staff over to the Confederation Building to try to get me copies of everything they can.

Pardon me?

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

Rod will help you out and give you all the materials you need.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

He doesn't have a copy of the bill either, to the best of my knowledge.

Does anybody have a copy of the bill?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Sure.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Bring it over. Otherwise I'm going to need more than just “shall....” My only point is, I need more information than “shall clause this, shall clause that”.... I don't know what the clauses are saying, so in fairness that's all I'm asking for.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Was anybody in that building?

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

My binders are over in that building, and I'm hoping they'll show up.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

That is the silliest reason I have ever heard... [Editor's Note: Inaudible]

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

You can't make this stuff up.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

So are we skipping the preamble? That's my understanding; we're doing the preamble at the end.