MR. CHUCK PORTER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before we proceed I wish to rise on a point of privilege. This morning during the meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, I rose on a point of order concerning decisions of the Chair taken in subcommittee, with respect to the matters within the jurisdiction of the Public Accounts Committee. These concerns were provided to the Chair in writing, a copy of which I will provide the House.

MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a point of privilege. My rights and privileges, as a member of this House, and the rights of all members of this House have been interfered with and disregarded by this current Cabinet. In the eyes of this Cabinet, the will of the Legislature and its democratically elected members are irrelevant.

SUZY HANSEN: See, this is what you people are supposed to do - stand up and clarify what that position is. Clarity on a part of a bill . . .

THE SPEAKER: Order. I asked you to rephrase "you people." (Interruption) That's all right. I make mistakes all the time. We all do.The honourable member for Halifax Needham.

THE SPEAKER: Order. Before we get started, I'd like to read this.

ELIZABETH SMITH-MCCROSSIN: Speaker, I would like to stand on a point of privilege.

THE SPEAKER: Okay.

ELIZABETH SMITH-MCCROSSIN: Yesterday, I spoke in this House, and I talked about our nurses, and today in Question Period, I'm sharing the concerns. Yesterday, the member for Halifax Atlantic and today the Minister of Health and Wellness, both times, are demeaning my character and discrediting my words. I feel I should be able to . . .

SPEAKER'S RULING: Statements made by NDP members against the Liberal Party. (Pt. of privilege by Mr. Michel Samson [Hansard p. 2387]

MR. SPEAKER: Before proceeding with the business of the day, I have a matter to discuss with the House pertaining to a point of privilege that was raised. As I stated yesterday to all members of this House, I had looked at the original request that was submitted to me in advance of yesterday, of the Liberal Leader presenting a matter of privilege before the House. I said a prima facie, I felt that the point of privilege was in order.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.

The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.

SPEAKER'S RULING: Unparliamentary language. (Pt. of privilege by Hon. J. Streatch. [Hansard p.896, 11/01/06])

Before we move on to the daily routine, there was a matter yesterday of privilege brought before the House, and with that matter, as Speaker, I will rule that it is not a matter of privilege, as the specifics that were brought forward were indeed discussed among members. But I would note, in the question of privilege or points of order before this Chamber, all things are taken seriously by this Chair and by the members of this House, I know.

HON. JUDY STREATCH: Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of personal privilege. I know in Question Period, we become animated. I know we get excited and we oftentimes speak out of turn or we speak in a reactionary mode. But, I have to rise on a point of personal privilege regarding comments made by my honourable colleague, the member for Cape Breton Nova. I think what I'm going to look for is clarification.

SUSAN LEBLANC: Speaker, I rise on a point of personal privilege. The Premier's language and tactics directed at the Leader of the NDP in Question Period were unacceptable. They directly questioned the integrity of the Leader of the NDP. Earlier today, you told us - you reminded us twice - that this was not allowed.

The Premier's comments that the Leader of the NDP is negative and whiny and hates Nova Scotians comes directly from the misogynist playbook, which could also be titled . . .

THE SPEAKER: Order, please. The member for Dartmouth North has the floor.