(Ottawa) Conservative MP Rachael Thomas drew the wrath of her colleagues after asking Minister Pascale St-Onge to answer her questions in English.
The elected Alberta representative who is used to sowing discord at the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage – she has already promised that she would make it “hell” – struck again Thursday morning.
She provoked the ire of the Liberals, the Bloc and the New Democrats after asking Minister St-Onge, twice rather than once, to respond to her in the language of Shakespeare.
“I noticed that you answer my questions in French, but that you answer other questions in English in English if they come from your Liberal colleagues,” she began.
“I am aware that it is entirely your choice, we are a bilingual country, but if it were possible for you, I would appreciate it…” she continued without being able to finish her request.
Because it was buried by the cries of protest that erupted from all sides. “ That’s not appropriate », “That’s ridiculous”, we heard.
“Can everyone please stop shouting?” There are at least five people shouting for a point of order! “, intervened the president of the committee, Hedy Fry.
Once the storm calmed, Minister St-Onge responded to her interlocutor in French, saying she wanted to be “sure to use the right vocabulary”, because she has “a lot of respect” for her colleague’s questions.
PHOTO ADRIAN WYLD, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Pascale St-Onge
Parliamentary work takes place in both official languages of Canada.
Simultaneous interpretation is available in committee, in the House of Commons, and during most press conferences.