Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to rise on a point of order under clause 23(k) with regard to the use of insulting and abusive language and (l) speaking disrespectfully of Her Majesty, any member of the Royal Family, his Excellency the Governor General, the Commissioner, the Assembly or any Member.
I rise on that point, Mr. Speaker, because I listened yesterday with great interest and intensity to the exchange between Mr. Hawkins and Minister Beaulieu. I listened carefully to the volume, tone and content of the exchange. I am of the opinion that when you look at those three items with the type of discourse and exchange that happened, the comments by Mr. Hawkins are contrary to our rules of order, hence my point.
I wanted to look at Hansard, which I did, and I’m rising on my first opportunity to speak. I want to refer to page 27 of unedited Hansard from yesterday during one of the exchanges in a question to Mr. Beaulieu. Keep in mind the volume, tone and content. Mr. Hawkins said, “Who is in charge of this department and if he isn’t, come on over here. We’ll welcome you back in great arms because we’ll put someone over there that can do the job because this Minister doesn’t.” Same page, second question: “Again, I ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, other than doing nothing, put something on the table that he’s truly done to improve the lives of Northerners, or get out of Cabinet because you don’t belong there.” It was clearly a very aggressive and insulting tone of voice, in my mind.
Then when you go to page 28, Mr. Speaker, the Minister, near the end of this last question, was attempting to respond and in Hansard it says “interjection.” That interjection was the Member for Yellowknife Centre interrupting the Member, Mr. Speaker. Immediately following that interjection, you, yourself, cautioned Mr. Hawkins, “Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins, Member for Yellowknife...” Right after that, there’s another interjection, which
was Mr. Hawkins once again speaking off mic but interrupting you, yourself, Mr. Speaker.
We appreciate frank and earnest debate, the give and take, the repartee and the parry and thrust of discourse, but there are limits in this Chamber. We pride ourselves on the decorum of this House, the propriety of the way we do business. We hold ourselves above the other Legislatures.
The point of order has been contravened; our rules have been contravened. I think this was beyond what is acceptable in this Legislature; hence, my point of order. Thank you.