Evidence of meeting #21 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Look, bullies in the schoolyard should never be listened to. My mother taught me that, Minister Baird. This intimidation tactic....
Mr. Holder came here today and said--
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
--that one of the reasons why the ministers have to go before us is because this committee intimidates witnesses? I beg to differ. You are trying to intimidate not just the chair but this entire committee.
Now, look, I have been in business for a very long time. I have been on lots of boards of directors. This is ridiculous. When we were talking about things earlier, the Conservatives are the ones who started it with questioning the chair and going around....
We had a good round and a good discussion about whether or not we wanted to hear from witnesses. I said I wouldn't mind hearing from witnesses; we've been trying to ask them for several months now the questions that we need answered. But I want to reserve the right that we should call, and be able to call, the staff if we don't get the answers that we want.
The chair was ruling on that, and then it disintegrated into this--
Conservative
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Are you trying to intimidate me, Minister Baird? Because I'll put myself up against you any day on intimidation factors. Don't try to intimidate me--ever.
Liberal
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
I think, if we can get back to some semblance of order in this committee, these are serious issues. This is a committee of Parliament, and Parliament is a committee formed by the people of Canada.
Please, have some respect for the people of Canada. We have questions that are legitimate, that have very serious implications for the people of this country. Well, please, let's allow the chair to rule and we may be able to do that. And stop trying to intimidate us.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Ladies and gentlemen, my ruling that we have to take a vote....
Sorry...when you get your turn....
Mr. Brown....
Let's not make it into a school of grade 5s playing across from each other.
I made a ruling saying that committee members could ask the two witnesses questions. If they wish to propose questions to the ministers, they can do so.
Is my ruling sustained, or do I have a challenge to the chair?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Okay, fine; challenge the chair.
All those who wish to have the ministers not questioned....
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Order.
Just so that you know what the ruling was, and then nobody can tell me they didn't know what the ruling was, the ruling was this: you have the opportunity to question those two witnesses, and, if you wish to question the ministers, do so.
Oui.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Let's make one thing clear, Madam Chair. Mr. Baird insisted that as a member of Parliament, he had certain rights, even though he is not a member of the committee and even though he is a government member. How can we—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Monsieur Guimond, sorry, that is debate.
I made a ruling, and I think--
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
How can we question a minister? I cannot question Mr. Warkentin or Mr. Gourde. I cannot put questions to them, as they are not witnesses. Questions must be directed to witnesses.
We will not be asking the ministers any questions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Order.
Monsieur Guimond, Mr. Brown challenged the ruling of the chair, so I had to repeat the ruling. I would like to get a vote.
Shall the chair's ruling be sustained?
Liberal
