Evidence of meeting #118 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Madam Gladu, I completely understood your proposed modification for the first sentence of the first paragraph.
About the third paragraph, can you repeat it? I just want to make sure it's not the same thing that we just dealt with.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
It is, “That the committee accepts that the MP for Brantford—Brant apologized in the House”, and then strike the last one. It's similar, but not exactly the same.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
People have raised their hands to speak to the proposed amendment.
Mr. Lightbound, you have the floor.
Liberal
Liberal
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
We are debating the amendment proposed by Ms. Gladu.
Is that correct?
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
We're therefore debating it as long as it's in order. It is quite similar to the one the committee just put to a vote, after all.
I'd like to say a few words about what the member just said. I have enormous respect for her, and I think she is one of the voices of reason in the House and certainly at this committee.
She said it was vindictive and small-minded, but I'd like to remind her of something. Even though she and I were not on the committee, in the case of Mr. Drouin—about whom Mr. Godin spoke to us at length—after he apologized repeatedly, the Conservatives practically wanted him tarred and feathered. That's barely an exaggeration.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
In my opinion, in this case, it could be said that there's a double standard.
Ms. Gladu also mentioned that she didn't like us to paint all Conservative members with the same brush. To that, I would respond with a proverb, “Silence implies consent.” What we witnessed last Thursday with Mr. Brock's behaviour was silence from the members from Quebec. They were somewhat embarrassed and sat back. They said nothing. Even today, before the committee, they are unable to acknowledge that there was reason to apologize and that this behaviour should be condemned. I'm talking about asking another member to speak in a language other than their mother tongue, that is, in this case, French.
Those are essentially the points I wanted to raise.
I would encourage members to vote against Ms. Gladu's amendment.
Conservative
Liberal
Liberal
Conservative
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
We should wait until we receive it before commenting.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Chair, I forgot to mention at the end of my remarks that the amendment is out of order because the committee has already ruled on essentially the same thing.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Just a moment, Mr. Godin. I believe Mr. Lightbound has a point of order.
Mr. Godin, are you asking that the meeting be suspended?
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Yes, I am, because we can't work until we have the document in front of us.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
It's not exactly the same. We will suspend while the clerk sends us the text of Ms. Gladu's proposed amendment.