The point raised by the hon. member for Brandon—Souris is certainly a legitimate one. I think that before any final ruling is given by the Chair, we will hear the hon. member for Calgary East, for the sake of having both members of Parliament who are in this dispute have their say on the floor of the House of Commons.
I would say by way of anticipating what might be the final ruling that it does also say in Marleau and Montpetit:
The Speaker has no authority to rule on statements made outside the House by one Member against another.
I make no judgment in the matter, how regrettable or inappropriate or whatever, concerning certain things that happen outside the House and ironically in friendship groups. It may be that the Chair has no particular authority in the matter.
We will hear from the member for Calgary East. A final judgment will be made at that time.