Environment Committee on May 2nd, 2024

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

No, he stated that the Government of Canada had done that, quite frankly. If you want to quote the commissioner, then get it right.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

I did quote it exactly right—literally.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Could you repeat what you said about the...?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Sure.

The environment commissioner literally stated that the majority of funding was approved by the Liberals without any commitment to reduce emissions. It was in the report.

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

That's false.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

He did not literally state that.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Can I get on with my statement?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, go ahead.

We know what you're saying—

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

[Inaudible—Editor] call you a liar here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

You're saying the government, the Liberal government.

Okay, let's keep going.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Think about that.

Obviously, I've hit a bit of a nerve here, Mr. Chair.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

This is a part of the House. You don't know procedure. This is a part. This whole core is a part. It is unparliamentary.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I may suspend—

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

We're governed by the rules also.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, and you're supposed to be governed by the chair.

Let's just move on because it's going to degenerate. Then I'll pause the meeting, and as I said, we'll have to go later.

Obviously, let's be careful with the words we attribute to the commissioner.

Keep going, please.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

Perhaps I could ask for clarification on what my colleague across the way said. Can we call somebody a liar at committee?

[A voice]

No, we can't.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I didn't hear that. Did somebody call someone—

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

My understanding is that that's unparliamentary and that you can't do that. I just want to get clarity for the future.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I'll find out.

We'll suspend for a minute.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Chair, if you're suspending, could you also check on whether we're allowed to misstate or lie about what is said by someone else who has testified in committee? Is that part of a rule of the House as well?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, I'll check.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The chair does not have the same powers as the Speaker does in the House. He cannot censure behaviour that brings disorder to the committee. I have no policing powers per se.

I think we have to be careful of our language in the committee—like we are in the House.

You can continue, Mr. Mazier.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

I have a point of clarification.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

There's a point of order.

Go ahead.