Chairperson's Ruling

Mr. Chairperson: Order, please. At this time I would just like to bring in a ruling from May 24. I took under advisement a point of order raised by the honourable member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak) respecting words spoken by the honourable Minister of Justice (Mrs. Vodrey) which were alleged to impute motives to the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh).

I have reviewed the words complained of, of which claimed that the honourable member for St. Johns appeared before and on the media in relations to the Headingley riot to politically grandstand and that he wanted to inflame the situation.

Beauchesne’s Citation 481 states that a member, while speaking, “must not: (e) impute bad motives or motives different from those acknowledged by a Member.” In my opinion, the honourable member for Kildonan does have a point of order, and the honourable minister has contravened Citation 481(e). Therefore, I am asking her to withdraw the words complained of.

Mrs. Vodrey: Mr. Chair, I will withdraw those.

Mr. Chairperson: I thank the honourable minister for that.

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Mr. Mackintosh: Would the minister tell the House what the plan is regarding the protective custody inmates and where they will likely or where they have already been returned to?

Mrs. Vodrey: It does not appear to be wise to identify where those protective custody inmates are at the moment, and I think we have a line of questioning again that appears to endanger people. I can tell the member that there is a security fence being constructed around Annex B at Headingley; and when that is constructed and is outside of the main part of the institution, when the area is secure in Annex B, then protective custody inmates will be returned there.

Mr. Chairperson: Order, please. The hour being 5:30 p.m., committee rise.

Call in the Speaker.

IN SESSION

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Marcel Laurendeau): The hour being 5:30 p.m., this House is now adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday).