Status of Women Committee on March 11th, 2008

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Madam...

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Mr. Stanton, when you said this was out of order or it would have an impact on Parliament, I asked the clerk to double-check if, when we look at any motions, we are unsure that they have some parliamentary validity. According to her, it is valid.

She's free to denounce who she wants, and people are free to choose what they want to do as long as there's no hate speech in it.

[Bruce Stanton, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I understand that, and individual members are free to denounce it if they wish. But what the motion is asking is that the women members of this committee request and advocate the support of other women in their own caucus to share the same view. It's perfectly willing for them to do that. But I'll read, if I can, Madam Chair, from Marleau and Montpetit, on page 84: “Speakers have consistently upheld the right of the House to the services of its Members free from intimidation, obstruction, and interference.” It says that speakers have had “no hesitation in reaffirming the principle that parliamentary privilege includes the right of a member to discharge his [or her] responsibilities as a member of the House free from threats or attempts at intimidation”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Members, we will have to deal with this motion at the next committee, because our time is up and the natural resources committee is here for their meeting.

We will take it under advisement. We will present that motion and we'll discuss it.

Madame Demers.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Madam Chair, I want to be sure that we'll have enough time to debate this at the next committee meeting. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

We'll do it as the first thing.

Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.