Evidence of meeting #11 for COVID-19 Pandemic in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was important.
A video is available from Parliament.
12:30 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
On that point of order, Mr. Chair.
12:30 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
On that point of order, Mr. Chair, it's not my assertion that it is a secret. The Globe and Mail reported that the NCC first said, “There are no new buildings being constructed” but then later the NCC confirmed that they were in fact constructing and renovating buildings. That is the secret, and that's the nature of the question.
I don't need coaching from Ms. May or other members. I need answers from the government for Canadians when it is spending tens of millions of dollars.
12:30 p.m.
Liberal
12:30 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Mr. Chair, my comment pertains to the same point of order.
There is currently a worldwide pandemic in progress. Members of the House agreed that we should meet in committee to debate issues pertaining to the pandemic. It's extremely important.
I assume that my colleague and members of his party have some questions to ask about the pandemic. We are prepared to listen to them and answer their questions. However, we must comply with House orders.
12:30 p.m.
Conservative
May 21st, 2020 / 12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Warren Steinley Conservative Regina—Lewvan, SK
The Deputy Prime Minister just said that this is the biggest financial crisis facing Canadians since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Spending taxpayer dollars on renovations to a home while Canadians can't pay their bills is, with all due respect to the government House leader, part of the COVID response. That money could be spent elsewhere to help Canadians. I don't understand how the honourable government House leader does not see this as a valid question, as it is really about the priorities of the government.
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
The debate seems to be more about the question itself and whether it's relevant. I've made a statement. The answer that came from the government House leader seems to be the answer to the question, and the back and forth is not really solving much.
At this point, I believe we've run out of time for Mr. Barrett.
We'll go to Ms. Rempel.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Those interventions were for points of order. I don't think the Standing Orders or the orders for this committee tell us that points of order are deducted from a member's speaking time.
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
They were not deducted. What happened is the response that came from the government House leader was an answer.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I have a point of order, sir.
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
What came back in his point of order was an answer to your question as well, but no, it's—
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, he prefaced it with “point of order” each time and you recognized him.
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
You're absolutely right. I take that back, in all fairness. I'll give you another question, if you'd like. You have one minute and 30 seconds left.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, during this pandemic, Canadians are having an increasingly hard time paying their bills. Businesses are failing. All the while, the government is continuing to construct mansions for the Prime Minister's enjoyment, and it is obscuring and obstructing information from the public.
How much is this costing taxpayers?
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Mr. Chair, I would be very grateful if my colleague could spend some time asking questions about the pandemic that is affecting not only Canada—
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I'd love for you to answer a question, Pablo.
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
—but the whole world.
I believe that my colleague could concentrate on the pandemic, in which case we would be pleased to answer his questions.
12:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
I want to remind honourable members not to interrupt each other and to speak through the chair, not to the person who asked the question nor to the person who is responding.
Mr. Barrett, you have 38 seconds.
12:35 p.m.
Conservative
