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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 321

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 30, 2024 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
Ms. Elizabeth May
  • May/30/24 10:30:47 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. When this controversy was first brought to our attention by the hon. member for Lethbridge, I rose to speak in deep concern about the possibility that the words that were spoken, which were in the initial blues, had been changed without the member's knowledge because this is an essential piece of how this place works, that we are confident that there is no interference with respect to the words that come out of our mouths, as best as they are able to be captured by the extraordinarily talented and dedicated staff, obviously with new equipment. However, for centuries there has been Hansard, and the words of parliamentarians are recorded, we hope faithfully. I also want to make a parenthetical comment. Then, I want to ask a specific question in case your ruling included it and I missed it. One of the things about the operations of Parliament, which is to say the fragility of our democracy, is that in Westminster parliamentary democracies, such as Canada, and I would say particularly Canada, much rests on intangibles: respect, decency, unwritten rules, traditions, concern for the country, etc. There are a lot of intangibles that float around when it comes to respect. I know that when hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle was the Speaker, I vigorously disagreed with many of his rulings, but I knew, as there is no appeal of a Speaker's ruling, there would be nothing but chaos if I were to show anything but respect for the rulings I heard, no matter how passionately I disagreed. My point is this. We are in a perilous place, to all my colleagues I would say the same, and we have to be able to work together and to respect our traditions. They are intangible and imperfect, but without them, there is nothing here but chaos. My question is this. I do not know if you can respond to it now or if you will have to fill me in later. I have had the experience of saying things and the Hansard staff got back to me to say that they were not sure they heard me right and asked me what I said. What I am missing here is this. I remember the day; there was a lot of noise and a lot of chaos, so I can understand that it was hard to hear clearly. What I am not certain about, and I would feel much more reassured as I am very concerned about the point the member for Lethbridge made, is if we were absolutely certain that nothing untoward occurred between what she said and how it was recorded. Do we know if the staff from Hansard reached out to the member for Lethbridge to seek clarification before the new version of Hansard emerged with the words “I withdraw” removed?
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Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Carol Hughes)
  • May/30/24 6:29:13 p.m.
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The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby is rising on a point of order.
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Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Carol Hughes)
  • May/30/24 6:29:24 p.m.
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I am sorry but that is not a point of order. The hon. member can ask that question during questions and comments. The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby is rising on another point of order.
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Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Carol Hughes)
  • May/30/24 7:17:33 p.m.
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I just want to remind members that if they have questions or comments, or if they are not interested in listening to the debate, they should ensure that they hold off until it is the appropriate time or step out of the chamber and come back when they are interested in listening to the debate. The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.
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Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Carol Hughes)
  • May/30/24 7:18:29 p.m.
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I am not sure exactly what is being done. If the hon. members could stick to the subject matter that is before the House, the House will run much more smoothly. I do not think that putting accusations forward is proper. I would just ask the member to withdraw so that we can continue. The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.
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Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/30/24 9:03:39 p.m.
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There is a point of order from the hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.
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Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
The Speaker
  • May/30/24 10:02:58 p.m.
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The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby is rising on a point of order.
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Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
The Speaker
  • May/30/24 10:03:44 p.m.
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I am going to ask the hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby, who is an experienced member, to withdraw that comment.
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Context: House Hansard - 321 - May/30/24
The Speaker
  • May/30/24 10:07:25 p.m.
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I am going to ask the hon. member for South Shore—St. Margarets to not take the floor until they are recognized. I thank the hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable for his intervention. I also thank the hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby for his point. The Chair will take this under advisement and come back to the House.
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