I know all of my colleagues here today have gone through this. In our parliamentary work, whether we're in committee right now....
I'm sure I already have some emails in my inbox based on the questions I'm asking you today, like, “Snowflake,” “Can't take the heat,” or, “Women can't take it. Don't run for office.”
What would you say to people who are considering this profession and see what some people post on social media? They see some of the harassment that MPs go through, whether it's at an event or at the grocery store. I can't buy ice cream at my grocery store because people stop me and ask me questions, and by the time I get to the cash, it's melted—that's actually a good thing.
That being said, when people are thinking about this job.... We have a responsibility to be civil in the House, whether we have decorum or not. We have a responsibility as colleagues. Nowhere in any other workplace would some of the behaviour that we see be acceptable. In any other workplace in Canada, the person would be terminated.
What can you say to people who are considering this profession, given everything that you see us going through?