Mr. Speaker, my point of order concerns a couple of rulings today and I am looking for some consistency. Before I am finished I will bring up a point from an earlier edition of debates.
The word “misrepresent” was used twice today. My colleague, the member for Dewdney—Alouette was required to withdraw the word “misrepresent” when it was used in his second question. In a later question the hon. member for Calgary—Nose Hill was allowed to continue speaking when the word “misrepresent” was used in her second question.
I would like to point out that in the Debates of October 10, 1980, page 3591 the then Minister of National Health used the words “that she is misleading the House”. The member for Yukon at the time raised the question and the Speaker ruled that this expression was allowed provided it was not qualified by the words “intentionally” or “deliberately”.
I think it would be consistent if we applied that rule to the word “misrepresent” so that members of this House might know if that word is acceptable. It is possible to misrepresent someone not even intentionally and I do not think it is necessarily unparliamentary to say so.