Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Minister of Health released the report two weeks ago. Over 1,300 copies were given to the press in the National Press Gallery. It contained eight pictures used in a visual impact study. To my astonishment, my picture was one of them. In the report I was stereotyped as a smoker, which I am not, grossly overweight, which my doctor says I am not, and I guess they have me almost as an 80-year-old woman, which I am not.
At no time did I give permission for the photo to be used nor did anyone from the Department of Health consult me. This type of stereotyping is an assault on my dignity as an individual and as a member of the House. It opens me up to ridicule and thus may impede my ability to perform my duties effectively.
To facilitate your work, Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to a ruling by your predecessor, Speaker Bosley, on a similar case in 1985. The issue involved an advertisement in a newspaper that identified a member of Parliament as someone else. Speaker Bosley said:
Anything tending to cause confusion regarding a member's identity creates the possibility of an impediment to fulfilment of the member's functions and constitutes a breach of privilege.
Speaker Bosley ruled that it was a prima facie case and referred the matter to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections. That case is similar to mine because a member of Parliament was misrepresented.
That is essentially the issue in this case. I have been identified and stereotyped in a manner that misrepresents me, not to mention the photo was used without my permission.
I have asked the Prime Minister for a public apology for the unauthorized use of this photo in a public document and a full accounting and explanation of how the health minister could have allowed this to happen. I have yet to receive a response.
Mr. Speaker, respectfully, I ask you to rule on this question of privilege.