Evidence of meeting #123 for Justice and Human Rights in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was interpretation.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Laurie Sargent  Assistant Deputy Minister, Indigenous Rights and Relations Portfolio, Department of Justice

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

Thank you for that, Mr. Bittle.

Relevancy is definitely within the standing orders, but I don't think that Mr. Brock has even had a chance to start.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Of course not. This is Bittle's game plan.

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

I'm going to start you back at six minutes, Mr. Brock.

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Thank you. I appreciate that, Chair.

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

We'll let you continue. I know you've been here as long as I have been here, and you're very well versed.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

It's the member's time.

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

Please proceed.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Thank you.

Minister, last Friday night, as Canada's second-largest city burned and was under siege by pro-Hamas terrorists rioting in the streets, damaging property and inciting their vile messaging of the extermination of the Jewish state, all the while, your leader, Justin Trudeau, danced away at a Taylor Swift concert and shared friendship bracelets with other fans. You, as Canada's chief legal officer, remained silent.

Why, sir, did you display a lack of leadership and courage in calling out this extreme anti-Semitic hate and violence?

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

I reject that categorization, and I also reject what happened on Friday night in terms of its appropriateness. What happened on Friday night was a disgusting and appalling act of lawlessness, unlawful behaviour by people who would seek to stoke havoc and chaos in our streets.

I referenced that—

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Minister, we would have appreciated your calling that out at the time, but you remained silent.

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

Could I finish, Madam Chair?

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

Yes.

Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON

I referenced that in my response in the House of Commons today—

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

I'm sorry, Minister, but this is my time.

I'll move on to my second question.

A few weeks ago, on November 11, during a bail compliance check, Toronto police officers—

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

We have a point of order.

Go ahead, Mr. Bittle.

Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON

I think the time was given to Mr. Brock to bring it back to Bill S-13. He has not done that, and now he has moved to another question unrelated to the topic. I know indigenous rights are very important to him, and he should move back to that topic.

Mr. Brock was insistent last week that Liberals stick to the topic. I'm curious why Conservatives don't hold themselves to the same standard.

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

Relevancy is very much at the base of the issue.

I'm going to go back to Mr. Brock now. We will start the clock again.

Mr. Brock, just be careful.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

I'll get to relevancy. Thank you.

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

Please go ahead.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

We support Bill S-13.

A few weeks ago, on November 11, during a bail compliance check, Toronto police officers found themselves—

Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON

I have a point of order.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Madam Chair, this is becoming ridiculous.

This is a pattern that Mr. Bittle continually does at these committee meetings.

Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON

I have a point of order.

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

Go ahead, Mr. Bittle.

Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON

The pattern is with regard to relevancy.

This is legislation. Mr. Brock acknowledged that our standing orders—