Before moving on to the next item of the day, I would like to return to the point of order raised by the hon. member for Scarborough Centre on April 27, 2006 during debate on Bill C-2.
The hon. member for Scarborough Centre requested an apology from the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board for questioning his honesty and integrity.
It is the duty of the Chair to ensure that our debates are conducted with a high degree of civility and mutual respect in keeping with established practices in the House. As is stated in House of Commons Procedure and Practice at page 522:
Remarks directed specifically at another Member which question that Member's integrity, honesty or character are not in order.
In a ruling given December 11, 1991, Speaker Fraser reminded members that:
The Chair wishes to emphasize that a major element of this civilized conduct consists in refraining from personal attack. There is good reason for this. First of all, in a general sense, respect for the person is the building block upon which our society is structured. Second, few things can more embitter the mood of the House than a series of personal attacks, for in their wake they leave a residue of animosity and unease.
With that in mind, I would like to invite the hon. parliamentary secretary to respond to the point of order raised on April 27.