Finance Committee on May 7th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

I have MP Ste-Marie on a point of order.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Chair, as all committee members and all members of Parliament know, when discussions occur simultaneously, it makes the work impossible for the interpreters. So I would ask all my colleagues to show a little decorum.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

You are very correct, MP St-Marie, on the crosstalk.

I don't have to tell MP Genuis. I've told him many times before about the crosstalk and he continues to do it.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

It's a point order, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

We are going back to MP Turnbull.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Hallan is still in the room. There's been no substitute.

MP Turnbull, go ahead please.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

It doesn't matter if I'm substituted. I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Please stop the crosstalk, MP Genuis.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Then enforce the rules, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Turnbull.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

I appreciate the ability to speak at committee. I feel like my privileges are being infringed upon by being interrupted so frequently by Mr. Genuis, but that's okay.

I was pointing out that—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Chair, I'd like to raise a question of privilege. Mr. Hallan is outside the room, so even according to your own bizarro interpretation of the rules, I should have the right to raise it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Genuis—

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

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

First, I'd ask for respect and decorum at this committee.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I'd ask the same from you, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Stop with the crosstalk, please. That's what you often do here at committee. I don't know if you do it at all committees, but you often do it here at this committee.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I have a question of privilege to raise, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Hallan has left. You are at the table.

I have a point of order from MP Angus.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I have a question of privilege to raise. Are you going to recognize me, Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Go ahead, MP Angus, on your point of order.

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

Thank you, Chair.

We've seen the tactic from Mr. Genuis where he comes in and he's abusive. He's talking over other people. I want to hear what the points are. I don't need to be bullied by Mr. Genuis. This is a common tactic.

I respect your role as chair, but I really think if he's not willing to listen, we need to talk about at least cutting off his mic. When the chair speaks, no one else is supposed to interrupt and Mr. Genuis just talks over people. He's here, I think, just to play that game. It's very disrespectful. As my Bloc Québécois colleague said, we've had multiple concerns about problems for our interpreters and the harassment that they have to endure hearing this, with people shouting.

Out of respect for our interpreters, I'm just asking if you can keep the meeting focused. You're doing a good job with it, but we need some respect for the process.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Thank you, MP Angus.

Members may think it's something else, but my number one priority is the health and safety of those who work here. I read notes on the health and safety of our interpreters into the record at every meeting. I'm sure Mr. Genuis, who has been to many meetings, has heard me read them into the record and understands that some of the screaming and crosstalk are hurting and affecting our interpreters, as well as all members of the committee.

That's what I will stick to. Again, my priority and what is paramount is the health and safety of those at the table, as well as those who work here and are in this room to make our jobs possible.

With that, I'll go back to MP Turnbull.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Chair, I have a question of privilege I'd like to raise.