Madam Speaker: I have a ruling for the House.
On May 7, 1998, during Question Period I took under advisement, in order to peruse Hansard, a point of order raised by the honourable member for Transcona (Mr. Reid).
In his point of order, the honourable member asked that I review Hansard as to exactly what words the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh) had used. Hansard shows that the member for St. Johns said: "When was he"--referencing the Minister of Justice--"telling the truth, Madam Speaker? To the reporter yesterday or in the House now or are they both lies, are they both ruses, I ask the minister."
At the time I asked the honourable member for St. Johns to withdraw the word "lies." The member for Transcona argued that the word "lies" was used in reference to statements and was not used in reference to any member of this Legislative Assembly.
The honourable member for Transcona did not have a point of order. The honourable member for St. Johns clearly referenced the Minister of Justice (Mr. Toews) as not telling the truth and described comments made by the minister as "lies."
To return to the original matter, on May 7, I asked the honourable member for St. Johns to withdraw the word "lies," and I am now requesting that he do so.
Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): Well, I notice the minister never answered the question, but I withdraw.
Madam Speaker: I thank the honourable member for St. Johns.