Debates of Jan. 30th, 2001

Speech From The Throne

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I just want to let the member know that she ought to have realized that the alleged employment insurance bill could not have been blocked by the Bloc Quebecois because it was never tabled in the House. There has been no vote on this matter. It would however have been interesting to see the government table such a bill to find out what people thought—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

Order, please. I remind hon. members that this was a maiden speech.

The Chair has recognized the member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie for questions and comments. The member then said he was rising on a point of order. If he has a question or a comment, he has the floor. He can speak now if he so wishes.

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

It will be all, Mr. Speaker.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Saint-Maurice, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to say that never before on the day of the Speech from the Throne in the House of Commons have hon. members questioned one another. Coming from the leader of the Bloc Quebecois and from the Parti Quebecois, this attitude is as irritating as the whole rag business.

[Chuck Strahl, Canadian Alliance, Fraser Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. If this is parliamentary reform then we have a long, hard session ahead of us.

[The Speaker]

I do not think that is a point of order.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I find it difficult to understand that the Prime Minister would be pleased that we innovate by asking questions and then blame hon. members who do so. As for the “rag”, he should not be sorry that, for once, a sovereignist is seeing red.

[Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the official opposition I extend our congratulations to Her Excellency the Governor General on her presentation of the Speech from the Throne, and to you also.

I can see we are moving along lines of precedent here, with the government once again at fractious odds with the Bloc and the official opposition continuing to be seen as the group that brings peace, order and good government.

I would also like to congratulate the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, the Acting Chairman and the Assistant Deputy Chairman of the Committees of the Whole House on their appointments.

I also extend congratulations to the members for Laval East and for Northumberland on their enlightened speeches and the presence of their families here today. That support is so treasured by all of us.

I also acknowledge, as I move to adjourn, that Canadians see stormy economic waters ahead. Tomorrow I would like to talk about charting a safe course through those waters. I now move to adjourn the debate.

(On motion of Mr. Day the debate was adjourned)

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That the House do now adjourn.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Speaker]

Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 4.17 p.m.)