Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 19th, 2023

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

It is not a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Ms. Thomas—

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

It is not a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You do not chair this committee, Ms. Thomas.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

It is not a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm allowing the point of order.

I'm sorry, Mr. Julian. You were asking...?

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Could you confirm, once again, that Ms. Tait is coming next week before committee?

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

It is not a point of order. If you're not going to be [Inaudible—Editor]

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I would like to say, for the ninth time, that Ms. Tait is coming next week, on November 2.

Thank you.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Madam Chair, I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Go ahead.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I would like to simply point out that the threat issued by Ms. Thomas towards the chair, that she “will make this hell”, is incendiary and inappropriate.

I would ask that Ms. Thomas apologize to the committee and the chair, and, if not, that the chair take whatever action she feels appropriate. That is not the environment that any of us need to be working in, and certainly not in this current climate.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I'll wait for you to give me the floor.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Go ahead, Ms. Thomas.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you.

Point taken. It was inappropriate for me to say that. I extend my absolute, unreserved apology to this committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

To the chair as well.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair—to you as well. I apologize.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Ms. Thomas.

Do you still want to debate the subamendment? I want to ask you not to verge into being repetitive and redundant. You are making the points that you have been making over and over now. Perhaps we can recognize, as Mr. Noormohamed talked about, that respect to the committee means that I have three of your colleagues here lining up to speak on this subamendment. I have five other people on the committee lining up to speak on the subamendment—

Ms. Thomas, I'm speaking. Thank you.

We have a lot of people wishing to speak. Being respectful of the committee means that you acknowledge that everyone else has a right to speak. If you choose to filibuster this committee, Ms. Thomas, then remember that I can ask you not to be repetitive and not to be redundant.

Thank you.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Is there a list, Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I have a list.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Can I put my name on it, if that's possible?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Mr. Coteau.

The speakers who are lined up, in order, are Ms. Gladu, Mr. Shields, Mr. Julian, Mr. Champoux and Mr. Coteau. They're waiting patiently to be able to speak once Ms. Thomas has made her points that are not repetitive and redundant.

Thank you.

Go ahead, Ms. Thomas.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Madam Chair, I would just raise a point of order before I continue.

I'm just curious; can you clarify the reason for Ms. Tait being brought in for two hours, according to the subamendment currently being discussed?