Colleagues, I would like to provide my ruling on a point of order raised by Mr. Hawkins during oral questions yesterday.
Last night when I had Hansard sent up to us, I was struck by the difference between this set of questions and answers and the exchange between Mr. Nadli and the Premier right before it: respectful, articulate in tone. The first set of the questions and answers remind me of how we just talk to people when we’re at home talking to people. They did justice to the civil nature of our system of this government. The second exchange that followed did not. It was really disrespectful for this House.
Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Ramsay are both experienced Members. Mr. Hawkins set the tone in his Member’s statement by using provocative, insulting language. He accused Mr. Ramsay of being thin-skinned, and then jumped up with a point of order when the Minister reacted in a strong language of his own. This is Mr. Hawkins’ third term as a Regular Member. He should be setting a good example for new Members on that side of the House.
Mr. Ramsay is also an experienced Member and now a Minister and a member of the Executive Council. When asked a question, a Minister can do one of three things: answer it, take it as notice, or refuse to answer it. When provoked, Ministers should stay focused on the issue rather than turn up the heat and make things worse.
In the response to Mr. Hawkins’ last question, Mr. Ramsay chose to criticize Mr. Hawkins’ manner of expressing himself, rather than use one of the three options available to him. He did this after I took the point of order under advisement and after I asked Members to stop taking shots at each other in yesterday’s oral questions.
This House is not a theatre. It may be that way in other jurisdictions, but not here. We’re elected by the people to lead, not to entertain each other or entertain the viewing public. I’m not suggesting that our questions and answers should be boring or uncontroversial, but yesterday it went too far. It was very personal and disrespectful.
Whatever is going on behind the scenes, I want Members to leave it at the Chamber doors when you come in here and focus on the work of the people when we’re in here. That is what they expect of us, to do the job for the people, and that’s what we owe each other. So there is no point of order.
