Mr. Speaker, you will have received a letter from me earlier in the day in which I request an emergency debate on the subject of the summit of the Americas meeting that concluded yesterday in Quebec City.
I would like the debate to be about that summit and the events surrounding it, in particular the security measures employed over the course of the three days of the summit, including the unprovoked use of measures of force such as water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets by security personnel on peaceful protesters. I want to emphasize peaceful because it is the use of these kinds of measures on peaceful protesters that is of such great concern and should be of great concern to all members of parliament.
The sons and daughters of many of our constituents were out there peacefully expressing their concern. For the House or at least the government to hold them in contempt as they did during question period and call them hooligans and whatnot is very misplaced. It made me glad that it was the police in charge of Quebec City and not the Liberal caucus because not even the police acted with such rhetorical contempt for the young people who faced them outside the wall.
I think it would be an appropriate matter for parliament to debate and I urge you, Mr. Speaker, to agree to such a debate.