A discussion on the proposed national urban park for west Windsor dissolved into an argument over parliamentary decorum Tuesday.
Following Question Period on Parliament Hill, a question was posed to Mark Miller, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on whether the Liberal government would support C-248, a bill introduced by Windsor West MP Brian Masse creating the Ojibway National Urban Park. A petition by Caldwell First Nation supported the bill and asked MPs to approve it when it came up for third reading.
Miller did not directly answer the question, and according to Conservative MP John Nater of Perth-Wellington, Miller used less-than-professional language toward Masse.
"Immediately prior to this vote, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, in reference to the member from Windsor West, on two separate occasions, used unparliamentary language," said Nater, which was followed by prolonged applause from members of all Opposition parties.
Miller then rose to address the allegation, even admitting that regarding Bill C-248, he had told Masse to "get off his a--."
"Look, if I used unparliamentary language, I'm glad to apologize," said Miller. "What I did say to the member opposite is that if he wants to call me out in the House of Commons, he can at least have the decency to come see me before that. There are plenty of opportunities. If we're going to have a debate on the substance of this, Mr. Speaker, I think you should understand the motivation for the words I did express."
Masse, who was not amused, then rose in response to Miller.
"I'll make this simple. If that's the conduct of this minister on a situation like this, I don't want an apology. Thank you," said Masse.
House Speaker Anthony Rota then admonished those in the chamber to be careful of their phrasing, as words take on different meanings during different situations.
Bill C-248, if approved, will protect a section of west Windsor from development by creating a national urban park. The Ojibway Shores area is the last undeveloped piece of land along the Detroit River and is home to many threatened and endangered species. The bill is in the midst of second reading with a referral to committee as the next step.
