Debates of May 27th, 1996

Jaswant Khalra

[Raymond Chan, Liberal, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)]

Mr. Speaker, the government has made repeated representations to the Government of India on the disappearance of Mr. Khalra.

During the recent visit of the Team Canada mission to India, both the Prime Minister and I discussed the case with our Indian counterparts.

The high profile of the case has led to an order by the Supreme Court of India to the powerful Central Bureau of Investigation to begin its own investigation of the disappearance. Pending the conclusion of the CBI's investigation, the National Commission of Human Rights has suspended its own inquiry.

In the meantime, officials of NCHR are in regular contact with the CBI. They are confident the latter is doing the right thing and heading in the right direction.

Today, however, there is no news concerning the whereabouts of Mr. Khalra. Rest assured Canada is putting a high priority on this case and will continue to monitor the whereabouts of Mr. Khalra.

Presence In Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw to the attention of the House the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Dariusz Rosati, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Poland.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Point Of Order

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the Minister of Human Resources Development not leave the House. Can we ask the Minister of Human Resources Development to remain here? I have a question of privilege that concerns him. He has escaped again. How characteristic.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

The member for Laurier-Sainte-Marie has the floor.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during the period-

[The Speaker]

I would like to ask you whether this question of privilege arises from something that took place during the period for oral questions.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

[The Speaker]

Very well. Please proceed.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during the period for oral questions, my colleague, the hon. member for Bourassa, asked a question of the immigration minister. The Minister for Human Resources Development made unacceptable, unparliamentary remarks to my colleague, the hon. member for Bourassa.

The hon. member for Bourassa is of Latin American origin. He is also a Canadian citizen. He is a sovereignist, and was elected as a sovereignist. He is entitled to his opinions, whether or not they are to the liking of the Minister of Human Resources Development. However, the Minister of Human Resources Development, who has a rather odd understanding of democracy, shouted at my colleague from Bourassa: "If you are not happy, get yourself another country".

That is unacceptable.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

My colleagues, the Chair did not hear what was said. I am not certain that this is a question of privilege. But we have the minister with us today and it was he who was referred to in these allegations. If he wishes to clarify the situation, he may have the floor.

[Douglas Young, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify exactly what I did say. The hon. member stood up in this House to ask questions on immigration and refugees.

What I said in this House, and repeat now, was that he ought to decide which country he respects. While it was Canada which gave him citizenship, here he is now seated in this House preaching separatism. Enough is enough, Mr. Speaker.

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Laurier-Sainte-Marie rose on a question of privilege. If words were exchanged between members of Parliament I can see that these words might not be acceptable to one side or the other.

However, because it was raised as a question of privilege, I judge this not to be a question of privilege. It might have been a question for clarification or of order, but my ruling is this is not a question of privilege.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

[The Speaker]

Is this a question of privilege or a point of order?

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

A point of order.

[The Speaker]

Is this a new point of order?

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

After what the minister just said-

[The Speaker]

Dear colleagues, I have ruled on the question of privilege, and it is my opinion that we are now moving on to the debates. I do not believe it was a point of order. Sometimes things are said in this House, on one side or the other, that are not acceptable. In my opinion, this is debate. I would like to close the incident here.

It is not, in my opinion, a question of privilege. If the comments are on my ruling on the question of privilege, I do not wish to hear any more about it at this time.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would a clarification.

[The Speaker]

Very well.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to understand properly. I raised a question of privilege on something said during question period, and you declare it is not a question of privilege. I would like some clarification. I cannot therefore address the unacceptable things said by the Minister of Human Resources Development without-

[The Speaker]

Absolutely.

We can get into a debate with any member of the House at any time. I have ruled this is not a question of privilege and at this point it is not a point of order. There may be a debate on this issue.

Of course, all members have their opinions on what was said and what is said; that is why we have debates here in this House.