CPAC - Monday, May 27, 2024 - 03:00 p.m. (ET) - Segment #5

>> Well, absolutely. It is clear that nearly half of this house has already called for the Speaker to step down. Last time following the video and all of the evidence that was provided to the NDP, the NDP said that yes, it was wrong what the speaker did and based on the information they believe that the speaker just didn't know what his role should be but they did say that if it happened again, they would also have to vote to have the speaker removed. So the question is we know what the Liberals are going to do because the Liberals believe that this speaker serves their purposes very, very well. The question is, is what will the NDP do? If they vote with the Bloc and the Conservative Conservative Party, the speaker will be removed. But the question is, is will the NDP be true to their word or will they find another reason to yet again support this corrupt Liberal government? >> The Speaker: Questions and comments. The Honourable member for Calgary Nose Hill. >> The role of Speaker and the neutrality of that role is fundamental to Canadian democracy. And the people who we all represent believing that this place can make laws and decide things like spending a budget fairly -- so we're now in a situation where the speaker has lost the confidence of the House, and to me it appears as though the NDP and the Liberals are making a decision on whether or not he should go based on their supply and confidence agreement rather than maintaining the dignity of the Chair. What happened in this last instance where a partisan event was advertised on the Liberal website, I mean, like, this is the third time, you know. In sports it's three strikes you're out. Can my colleague just reiterate why it's so important given that everything that's been said here today that the Speaker resign and so that the appearance of democracy can once again be restored for the Canadian public. >> The Speaker: The Honourable member for Grande Prairie MacKenzie. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think that the question is a very, very important one. I don't stand here as myself. I stand here as the voices of those who sent me here. As does every member in this chamber. And the idea that the speaker would in fact be engaging in partisan preferences in this house, not enforcing the rules as they're set out to ensure fair supply, to ensure that all members are treated equally and ensuring that the procedures are conducted in such a way is that we can be sure as to what the voices of Canadians what the outcomes are in terms of vote. The speaker oversees all kinds of things including votes in the House of Commons. He overseas the language that's used in the House of Commons. The Speaker oversees all kinds of administration that goes on outside of this chamber as well in terms of resources allocated to different members of Parliament as well. The Speaker plays such a central role in defending our democratic institution that if the Speaker is deemed to be partisan in his role well, Madam Speaker, how can Canadians have any faith in the institution anymore? We are their voices. And if we don't believe that the speaker is conducting himself in a fair manner, how can Canadians? The Speaker has to go. >> The Speaker: [Voice of Interpreter]: Pursuant to the standing orders it's my duty to inform the House of the questions to be raised at the time of adjournment this evening. [End of Interpretation] the Honourable member for Sherwood Park--Fort Saskatchewan, public services and procurement. The Honourable member for York--Simcoe, carbon pricing. Resuming debate. The Honourable Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader. >> Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. The comments that I've heard both just in the last 25 minutes or so and previously concern me a great deal. They concern me first and foremost as a parliamentarians. I've been involved at the provincial and federal level of politics for over 30 years now. And I can tell you that I've had the opportunity to work with speakers of all political

stripes. New Democrats, Progressive Conservatives, Conservatives here and Liberals here in Ottawa. They play a very important role in our whole institution of parliament. one in question I have grown virtually in the days I served in the military with a great deal of respect. Our institutions mean a great deal, Madam Speaker. We do need to be respectful of them and never, ever take them for granted. There can be times in which we will disagree with maybe something that a speaker might be saying. I know when I was in opposition in third party in the far corner over here there was treatment that I received from the current Opposition House Leader when he was in fact the speaker that I did not appreciate. I think, for example, of concurrence motions where a concurrence motion would be moved and I would attempt to stand up and speak and virtually instantly shut down, Madam Speaker, instantly. Even though when I see it today on concurrence motions, members are given all sorts of latitude and provided opportunity to speak. I can rural a number of incidences from the Manitoba Legislature when I would have real issues. Even at times when there was an uproar when a speaker walked out of the chamber and we continued to have debates. But I can tell you, Madam Speaker, I've always respected the Chair. Even when I was asked to leave the chamber on one occasion. I respect the institution. And that is something that I believe that we have witnessed over the last number of years that has not been the case coming from the Conservative Conservative Party. There is a lack of respect for the institution. And that also includes the speaker and the Speaker and the chair that the Speaker holds. The member spent so much of his time talking about the person and justifiably so I guess given the very nature of the ruling that has been made, but the biggest problem I have with the comment, Madam Speaker, is if you listen to what he is saying, he's talking about well, at the end of the day we didn't support this Speaker. We referring to the Conservative Conservative Party. The Conservative Conservative Party never supported this speaker. What was their argument? Why? Not because of anything that happened from the moment that he was elected as Speaker to today. They didn't vote for the speaker, period. After the election they didn't vote for him because they didn't like the Speaker. I made reference to that in my question and that's the reason why I posed the question in the manner in which I did. And at the end of the day the response was very clear. We don't like the speaker. We didn't vote for the speaker. And nothing has changed. Madam Speaker, you know, there is no such thing as a perfect human being. Mistakes do happen. And we saw that mistake with this particular Speaker that had taken place in which there was an apology that followed even before, from what I understand, of a motion being brought to the chamber. And then we had a debate at that time in regards to the speaker and that it ultimately went to the PROC committee and then the PROC committee came back with a ruling. And the speaker again apologized for what had taken place and the

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