Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was here in the Chamber when the words were said. I’m going to speak to it in this regard. First, I want to stress — and I think it’s important to highlight — that Mr. McLeod’s riding and how he makes his opinions are his responsibility and his responsibility alone. Therefore, it should not be assumed as to how Members, whether they be Cabinet or Regular Members, assume that opinion.
Mr. Speaker, it’s my opinion that the Member for Great Slave was not shooting with ill intent,
although his words may have suggested there could have been an assumption there. I think the spirit and the intent was strictly based on the fact that something was being deleted, and of course, the Member may feel that is a concern.
My observation of this whole issue at large is that it was an assumption, but I don’t think it was meant in any regard of any negative perspective. I don’t think there’s a point of order here, but I’d certainly like to offer the opportunity for us to retract those words and maybe move forward. I don’t think this is a necessary process. Sometimes things get frustrated and words get put into people’s mouths, as well as intents.
Closing this point out, Mr. Speaker, the issue I think that really arose here is the fact that there was an assumption made. I don’t think the spirit and the intent was mean or with malice or any other type in any way.