Thank you, Chair. I listened very carefully to my colleague Monsieur Simard, particularly the latter part of his point of order in terms of taking a deep breath.
I've taken a deep breath to gather my thoughts for this second point of order, just like I took a deep breath for my first point of order. I don't rush into points of order, Chair, so I'll take his words at face value.
I think it's important that I raise this issue, because this is an issue that was brought up initially at our meeting earlier this week. There was a term used by my colleague Mr. Falk in reference to Ms. Dabrusin, which she took offence at. I'm not going to mention the word again. Other members of the Liberal bench took offence too. You thought about that particular word, and you cautioned all of us, if you recall, Mr. Chair, at the committee about the use of derogatory and non-parliamentary language.
I didn't challenge that particular order because it wasn't an order per se—it was a suggestion by the chair—but I asked for clarification. I asked on more than one occasion for clarification as to whether or not the chair was going to make a ruling with respect to the use of that particular word. I asked it on more than one occasion. The chair dodged the specifics in terms of opining on whether or not that word itself was derogatory or unparliamentary. I raise that in the context of what has just happened tonight, where one of my colleagues used the reference to a “bonus NDP member”, to which MP Aldag took great offence and raised a point of order, viewing that as unparliamentary. Again, the chair, using the very same language that the chair used two days ago, cautioned committee about the use of derogatory terms and non-parliamentary terms.
Again, I need clarification, Chair, and I think it would benefit every particular member at this committee, as to what the chair deems to be derogatory and/or unparliamentary. I'm of the same view as my colleague Mr. Patzer, that the word “bonus” could actually be flattering as opposed to derogatory. If the chair still feels that it's a derogatory derivation or some knock on Ms. McPherson's abilities....
I have great respect for Ms. McPherson. I haven't had any personal conversations with her, but I always admire her interventions in the House. I would certainly not use any derogatory terms for Ms. McPherson. In my understanding, sir, the use of “bonus”.... It is a bonus actually to this committee to have Ms. McPherson's presence at this committee.
Again, I am asking the chair to provide clarity because, quite frankly, as this meeting progresses and as future meetings progress.... I hope that the Conservative team invites me for future resource meetings because I quite enjoy the content in these meetings. To enable me to perform at my best, Mr. Chair, I need to hear, from the chair's perspective, what is deemed to be derogatory and a ruling as to what is deemed to be derogatory or non-parliamentary. Thank you.
