Point of Privilege

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise with reluctance on this topic and without any interest in rehashing of events, but only to remark on what we've heard in response to these points of privilege.

Perception is something. Did the member give proper notice? Was that directed at the member? The member's feelings may have been hurt. In my submission, these are inappropriate responses to an expression that takes some bravery in this Chamber, of a breach of personal privilege.

Now it's to the Speaker to rule whether that breach has, in fact, occurred but it is being alleged. I do want to say that I would support the members who have spoken, because I believe that when a member speaks in this Chamber, they should always be speaking the truth and that we should make that assumption. I assume that they are speaking the truth. I know that they are speaking the truth because I witnessed the events in question as did the members of our caucus.

Again, what your ruling is we will find out, but I think this is an opportunity, as the member mentioned, to remark on the tenor of - I don't want to say debate, but the remarks and speech and insults, frankly, that have been present on the floor of this Chamber. We all bear, probably, a little bit of responsibility. Having been here for several years, I also have been somewhat stunned by the language and behaviour and frankly inappropriateness that I have heard in this Chamber.

I hope that regardless of the Speaker's rulings that we all take an opportunity to think about the ways that we conduct ourselves inside and outside of this Chamber and to make every effort, notwithstanding the partisanship that is a natural part of our system, to treat each other with respect. There is no reason for any of us not to do that. There is also no reason not to respect someone who comes forward and says that they have experienced a breach of that.