Thank you, Ms. Lapointe. That's an excellent question.
I would add this: not only will this promote courteous behaviour, but it will also increase productivity. Those will be two positive effects.
I would like to point out one more thing about bad behaviour or lack of respect during the oral question period. According to all the surveys, this is the main reason why women do not run for office. They do not understand all the work of members of Parliament and do not see what we do in committee. They look at the oral question period with horror and say to themselves that they will never be MPs.
I brought my two daughters to a session of the House, and I was ashamed. One of them has no qualms about telling me when she doesn't like something. She was shocked to see what was happening. I personally never get into this game. You know me well enough to know that, Ms. Lapointe. Never in my life would I behave like that, because I always keep in mind that one of my daughters or my father might be watching me from the gallery.
How will this encourage members of Parliament to be courteous? There is a whole series of things.
We talked about co-operation, as opposed to confrontation.
First, inappropriate behaviour will not help members to obtain the consideration of the Speaker of the House, as the Speaker will prevent them from speaking. If I am a new member of Parliament and I start yelling in the House, the Speaker will ask me to calm down and I will not have the right to speak. That is one thing.
Second, if I'm always yelling at members, they will not support any private member's motion or bill I may have introduced; they will not even talk to me. I will not be able to co-operate with them. If I want their help, it's best if I stop yelling.
Third, we will be freer to support measures by following our conscience, without fear of being punished.
A whole series of things can encourage members of Parliament to act with courtesy.
Members are not stupid; when they come to the House, they see that it's more advantageous to yell than to co-operate, and that is why they do it.
We must consider the whole package that will allow us to change that.