CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 140 Ï NUMBER 022 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 38th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, November 4, 2004 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) All parliamentary publications are available on the ``Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire´´ at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1189 HOUSE OF COMMONS Thursday, November 4, 2004 The House met at 10 a.m. question was language that she found unparliamentary and, more- over, that the term is offensive to Canadians of Italian origin, many of whom are her constituents. Prayers I have now looked into the matter and I understand that the Italian word famiglia, meaning family, in the context of popular culture, is Ï (1000) an indirect reference to organized crime, specifically the Mafia, a [English] criminal organization that originated in Sicily but eventually became established internationally. In light of this new information, the Chair POINTS OF ORDER can appreciate why the hon. member for Ahuntsic has raised her ORAL QUESTION PERIOD—SPEAKER'S RULING objections. The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the point of order I ought not to have to remind colleagues of the need to refrain raised by the hon. member for Ahuntsic concerning remarks made from using words that might cause disorder, let alone using language by the hon. member for Central Nova during question period on in a way that might give offence to a particular ethnic group. October 29, 2004, where he made reference to “la famiglia libérale”. When the matter was raised, I indicated I would take the matter I understand, of course, that question period especially is one of under advisement, check the blues, and get back to the House if those times when partisan feelings can run high and members quite necessary. I have now done so and am prepared to rule on the enjoy exchanging barbs. However I would urge all hon. members to question. be very prudent in their choice of words. Strong language can still be temperate and respectful. I have reviewed the tape of proceedings that day and it clearly shows that the hon. member for Central Nova used the expression Accordingly, in this instance, the Chair has concluded that the “la famiglia libérale” in posing a question. remarks of the hon. member for Central Nova, taken in context, go As hon. members know, there are few words in and of themselves beyond the limits of what is permissible. The hon. member did rise that are not acceptable to the House to the point of being considered in response to the complaint of the hon. member for Ahuntsic and unparliamentary in any circumstances. made a partial withdrawal with respect to certain persons. However the Chair does not find that to be sufficient in the circumstances and Ï (1005) so I would ask the hon. member for Central Nova to withdraw his [Translation] remarks completely so that we can bring this issue to a close. However, in dealing with unparliamentary language, as the House Mr. Peter MacKay (Central Nova, CPC): Mr. Speaker, as I did of Commons Procedure and Practice points out at, page 526: instantly, I unreservedly withdraw the remark as I did previously. —the Speaker takes into account the tone, manner and intention of the Member speaking; the person to whom the words were directed; the degree of provocation; and, most importantly, whether or not the remarks created disorder in the Chamber.” [English] ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS As I recall, on Friday last there was some commotion caused by Ï (1010) the question of the hon. member for Central Nova but, as I indicated to the House at the time, since the Chair was not actually familiar [English] with the term famiglia, I had attributed the commotion to the usual high spirits that characterize exchanges during question period on PRIVACY COMMISSIONER Fridays. The Speaker: I have the honour to lay upon the table the 2003 However, after question period, the hon. member for Ahuntsic report of the Privacy Commissioner. This important report is deemed rose to take exception to the hon. member for Central Nova's use of permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government language, arguing that the term famiglia used in the context of his Operations and Estimates. 1190 COMMONS DEBATES November 4, 2004 Routine Proceedings SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES (A) CANADA ELECTIONS ACT A message from Her Excellency the Governor General transmit- Mr. Mark Holland (Ajax—Pickering, Lib.) moved for leave to ting supplementary estimates (A) of sums required to defray introduce Bill C-261, an act to amend the Canada Elections Act expenses of the Public Service of Canada for the fiscal year ending (voter and candidate age). March 31, 2005, was presented by the President of the Treasury Board and read by the Speaker to the House. He said: Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill which seeks to increase the participation of youth in Canada's electoral system. *** ORDER IN COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS The bill would lower the federal voting age to 16 so that young Hon. Dominic LeBlanc (Parliamentary Secretary to the people could learn to be active electors while they are still in school. Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Unlike previous bills on this subject, it would keep the age to be a Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table a number of orders in council candidate at 18. recently made by the government. I urge all members to support the bill. I am happy to work with *** members of all parties to make the bill a reality. INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed) Mr. Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, CPC): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to *** present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Associa- NATIONAL VETERANS FUNERAL HONOURS ACT tion respecting its participation in the fourth part of the 2004 ordinary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, CPC) Europe held in Strasbourg, France, October 4 to 8, 2004. moved for leave to introduce Bill C-262, an act respecting funeral honours to veterans. *** COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE She said: Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to introduce my private member's bill, an act respecting funeral honours to veterans. CANADIAN HERITAGE Ms. Marlene Catterall (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.): Mr. The purpose of the bill is to recognize the great sacrifice of the Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the men and women who served in Canada's armed forces. The second report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage legislation would provide for a military guard of honour to provide relating to copyright reform raised in the first report of the Standing the dignity and respect our veterans deserve. Committee on Canadian Heritage in the third session of the 37th Parliament, entitled “Interim Report on Copyright Reform”. Currently various regiments provide some benefits to their [Translation] comrades on an ad hoc basis. The bill would provide recognition for service by a grateful nation. I also have the honour to present in both official languages the first report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on the An advisory council to the Minister of Veterans Affairs recently Canadian broadcasting system mentioned in the second report of the recommended improved funeral and burial benefits for veterans. Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in the second session of Therefore it gives me pleasure to recognize their work and the 37th Parliament and entitled “Our Cultural Sovereignty: The complement their recommendations with this bill. Second Century of Broadcasting”. JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed) PREPAREDNESS Hon. Paul DeVillers (Simcoe North, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I have *** the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of [Translation] the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. CANADA LABOUR CODE Ï (1015) Mr. Roger Clavet (Louis-Hébert, BQ) moved for leave to [English] present Bill C-263, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code In accordance with the order of reference of Friday, October 15, (replacement workers). 2004, your committee has considered Bill C-6, an act to establish the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and to He said: Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to introduce an anti- amend or repeal certain acts and, as agreed on Wednesday, scab bill this morning. Its purpose is to ban the use of strikebreakers November 3, 2004, to report it with amendments. by companies under federal jurisdiction. November 4, 2004 COMMONS DEBATES 1191 Routine Proceedings René Lévesque gave Quebec such legislation in 1977. It is high MEMORIAL CROSS ACT time to fill the gap left by the Canada Labour Code. In particular, this bill is intended to avoid any more labour conflicts involving Mr. Peter Stoffer (Sackville—Eastern Shore, NDP) moved for intimidation and violence. Examples of these are Vidéotron, Cargil, leave to introduce Bill C-266, an act to provide for the issuance of Sécur and Radio-Nord. the Memorial Cross as a memento of personal loss. The intention of this bill is to civilize labour relations in the event of strikes or lockouts. I would invite all members of this House to He said: Mr. Speaker, as all Canadians know, when an armed support this totally non-partisan bill, in order to eliminate the use of forces person dies in the line of duty, the mother of that victim scabs, which is still permitted by the Canada Labour Code.