Public Safety Committee on May 23rd, 2024

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Go ahead, Ms. Michaud.

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

There aren't many of us in the meeting room, but I must say that the microphones are working quite well, and we don't even need to put in our earpieces because we can hear Mr. Caputo very well. I don't think he needs to yell to make his speech. He could lower the tone, which would be good for everyone.

He could also refrain from repeating the same things five or six times, because we're starting to get the picture.

Having said that, I have some questions for him.

What is the Conservative Party's position on Bill S‑210?

Is he filibustering today because he doesn't want to study this bill?

In answering my questions, he could say something other than what he's talking about now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Thank you, Madame Michaud.

I would certainly urge Mr. Caputo to keep his volume down, on behalf of the members and certainly on behalf of the interpreters.

I would also advise that we could get back on topic better, but go ahead.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

With all due respect, Mr. Chair, I think we're directly on topic when it comes to this.

It's interesting that my colleague from the Bloc said that we're starting to get the point. That's what came through the interpretation. If we're just starting to get to the point, maybe I should repeat it a little more often. If this is what it takes to get to the victims, if we're just starting to hear what the victims are dealing with—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Mr. Caputo, could you turn your mic around?

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I was told I was too loud.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

The interpreters can't hear you when you put the mic towards the other side of the table.

Don't shout into the mic. Speak normally, so that the interpreters can do their work.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Again, on that—

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Just don't yell.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Mr. Genuis has a point of order.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you. I think that speaking with intensity and passion is actually what is normal for Mr. Caputo. If the goal is for him to do the normal thing, maybe it's helpful if the chair specifies.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Thank you, Mr. Genuis.

Let the record show that, Mr. Caputo, if you try to keep your volume within.... I don't want to use the word “normal”, but please keep it down, so that the interpreters' ears are protected.

Thank you.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I'm sure we have the interpreters in the back there. I have a voice that carries, I'm told. I will keep the microphone—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Also, Mr. Caputo, please don't touch the mic.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

With all due respect, Chair, we can't have it both ways. You can't say, don't speak—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

I'm not saying, don't speak. I'm saying, don't touch the microphone, as it causes feedback. It causes problems. All right?

Speak in a plausibly loud voice that they can hear but not too loud so that it hurts anybody. Don't touch the mic, please.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Okay. Well, I apologize to the interpreters if I've hurt their ears—

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

They're just trying to do their job. That's so condescending.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Please don't be insulting to the interpreters.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I am not being condescending. I am not—

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

Don't be condescending to people who are just trying to do their job in a safe manner.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Ms. O'Connell, I didn't interrupt you. I would appreciate the same courtesy.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Let's avoid the back-and-forth, please.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Chair, I do apologize if I've hurt anybody's ears. I will try to modulate my voice accordingly and still speak with the passion that I believe—