Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 26th, 2023

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Chair, before I resume my comments, I would comment on that point of order first.

I referred to Mr. Julian as “Mr. Julian”. At the last meeting, I accidentally used his first name. I said, “Peter Julian”, at which point he took great offence and raised it. I offered an apology and he forgave me, which I'm thankful for. Today, I'm calling him “Mr. Julian”, which was his request and which I believe is respectful to do. He's now saying I'm calling him names, so I'm curious: If he doesn't want me to call him “Peter Julian”, and he doesn't want me to call him “Mr. Julian”, what would he like me to call him?

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

I have a point of order.

The Speaker's reference, and I know Mrs. Thomas is well aware of this, was to the use of derogatory names towards political parties, whether it's the NDP or any other party.

She's quite right to point out she apologized for her remarks in the last meeting. I have definitely forgiven her and I appreciate that she has been referring to me by my family name.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Well, I have, too, Mr. Julian, if you don't mind me saying. I'm also at fault. I've been calling people by their first names, so I was taken aback last week.

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

Mr. Chair, you know what the committee practice is, and you also know what the Speaker's ruling was. The Speaker's ruling was not to use derogatory terms connected to any caucus. That is why I'm asking you to ensure there are no derogatory names, directed either personally, which is not the case here, or towards a party caucus.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thanks, Mr. Julian.

I went back to Hansard several times last week. We call each other by our first names. I'm just bringing this forward. It is a point I'm making. Now—

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

This is something that has already been resolved. Mrs. Thomas has already apologized and I've forgiven her. That is not the issue here, and I would like you to stay on point, please.

The question is whether you can use derogatory comments about any party caucus. That is what I'm asking you to enforce. As the Speaker ruled in the House, this is something that should be maintained in committee.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Okay.

Mrs. Thomas, go ahead.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I wonder whether the honourable member, then, could help me understand: What was the derogatory term that was used?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Go ahead, Mr. Julian.

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

Mrs. Thomas is well aware.

The Speaker ruled on the use of derogatory terms towards any party caucus, including the NDP, during question period. I'm sure she can make her point without being derogatory. I would ask you simply to enforce that rule.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thank you.

Go ahead, Mrs. Thomas, with the subamendment, if you don't mind.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Before I was interrupted, I was making the exact point my colleague is proving true, which is to say that the Liberals and the NDP have joined forces to try to bring this debate to an end, because they very much want to defend the CBC. They very much want to defend the spreading of disinformation and the dangerous conduct the CBC has engaged in by propagating a message put out there by Hamas. The CBC put that message out there as if it were fact.

The members within the Liberal and NDP caucus at this committee have determined they do not wish to have this conversation. They do not wish to have the CBC held to account, which is shameful. Canadians deserve better. They deserve accurate news coverage.

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

There's a point of order.

Before we go on, we have a hard stop at 10:15. I just heard this from the clerk.

Go ahead, Mr. Julian.

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

I would certainly disagree with Mrs. Thomas that we should be turning the committee into hell, which is what her comment was last time.

Could you please confirm, Mr. Chair, that the president of the CBC is coming before this committee next week? I think that is very germane to this discussion in the subamendment. The president of the CBC is already confirmed, as Ms. Gladu was kind enough to confirm. Next week, she will be coming to committee,

Could you confirm that, please?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thank you, Mr. Julian.

You know the subamendment is for two hours, which is why we're discussing it. You know as well as everyone around here that, as of Tuesday, she has been logged in for next Thursday for one hour. The subamendment is a little different, as you know, Mr. Julian. We're asking her for two hours. That's why we're on this subamendment, with Mrs. Thomas having the floor right now.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Again, my honourable NDP colleague proves my point that the Liberals and the NDP at this committee are in fact trying to prevent the CBC from having to come forward, as these three members—

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

A point of order.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

—Mr. Nagler, Mr. Achi and Ms. Tait—

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

Mr. Chair, a point of order.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Mr. Julian.

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

Could you please confirm yet again, Mr. Chair, that the president of CBC is coming next week?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Yes, she is coming. Catherine Tait is coming next Thursday for one hour. That is confirmed. But we're dealing with the subamendment, if you don't mind, Mr. Julian.

Things have moved with Ms. Tait, as you know. I was surprised, actually, that the chair last Tuesday said it's open warfare on Ms. Tait. We can also talk about other things. We wanted to talk specifically about the CBC, which the chair interpreted...it's now wide open.

Ms. Gladu.

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

On a point of order, Chair, Mr. Julian brought forward that the Speaker had provided rules to try to improve the decorum. One thing that was in those guidelines that he brought forward was that we shouldn't be chronically interrupting. The number of points of order that we're seeing from Mr. Julian while my colleague Mrs. Thomas is trying to speak does look like excessive interruption.

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thanks, Ms. Gladu.

Again, Catherine Tait will be here on behalf of the CBC next Thursday for one hour.