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Sample debate in the Canadian House of Commons
Mr. John Herron (Alberta) moved the following resolution: That the circumstances attendant upon the murder of his mother-in-law by John T. Peterkins, inspector of swamp lands in Ungava, and subsequent disgraceful distribution of her body amongst the wolves of that country, and the continued retention of said official in office without investigations, reflects discredit upon the government and should receive the disapproval of this House.
Mr. Bourassa asked if the government intended to take any steps to remove from office John T. Peterkins, inspector of swamp lands in Ungava, who had recently become notorious through strangling his mother-in-law in her shack, cutting up her body into small chunks, filling them with assafoetida and strychnine, and setting them out as bait for wolves, on which there was a bounty of $1 a head. By these shocking means Peterkins had collected $145 from the government.
Hon. Frank Oliver: The honorable member has been misinformed as usual. It seems a pity that honorable members do not obtain more exact information on which to base their charges against the government. The number of pelts paid for by the government in this district was only 85, of which number Peterkins had a claim against 53. This money has not yet been paid over to the claimants, but the government sees no reason why Peterkins˙ claim should not be settled along with the rest. The territory of Ungava has for years been terrorized by large and ferocious bands of wolves, and the department considers that Mr. Peterkins has done the state no small service in ridding his district of the number of wild animals indicated.
Mr. Bourassa: Will the right honorable the minister of the interior inform the House whether or not the government proposes to retain Peterkins in the public service with this awful charge hanging over his head.
Hon. Frank Oliver: I cannot see whereof consists the ¸awful charge.” No complaint has reached the department that Mr. Peterkins neglected the swamp lands of Ungava while sporadically engaged in trapping wolves. If it can be shown that the swamp lands were in any way neglected or allowed to fall into decay through lack of inspection, then the department may take steps to make further investigation into the matter. (Cheers.)
W.F. Mclean: That is not the point. The charge has been made that this government official, Peterkins, strangled his mother-in-law and fed her to the wolves. Surely such a monstrous piece of business should be looked into.
Sir Wilfred Laurier: I must protest against the time of the House being frittered away in this manner. Mr. Peterkins˙ record as a swamp inspector is unrivalled in the annals of swamp lore. The Ungava swamps have thriven as they never throve before, under his inspection, and it does credit to his nobility of disposition that he devoted his leisure moments to the eradication of wild animals which had become a menace to the country. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. Bourassa: The right honorable the premier begs the question. It has been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that this man murdered his mother-in-law and threw her in sections to the wolves. What is the government going to do about it? Surely I am entitled to an answer to my question.
Hon. Frank Oliver: The department lays down no hard and fast rules as to what kind of bait shall be used in the case of wild animals on whose pelts a bounty is paid by the government. Ordinary meat is liable to be in a frozen condition at this time of the year, and poison administered through the medium of frozen meat takes longer to work on the vitals of a wolf. Even frozen hard it takes quite a while to melt after being swallowed, and the animal may stray for miles before the strychnine gets in its fine work, thus rendering impotent the work of the man who is out for the pelt. Fresh meat, when obtainable, is the most efficacious form of bait. Old trappers of the Hudson˙s Bay are unanimous in this opinion. Mr. Peterkins is one of the most zealous servants in the employ of the government and I certainly see no reason for his removal, as suggested by my honorable friend. I might mention that Ungava is a great lone land, and it is sometimes hard to find a competent man to remain there for any lengthy period in the government service. However, I am happy to be in a position to inform the House that Mr. Peterkins is about to take himself another wife and will shortly marry into a prominent Esquimaux family.
M.S. McCarthy: Out of bait again?
W.F. Maclean: Wants some more fresh meat probably.
The Speaker: Order, order.
In concluding the debate, the premier asked the government members to vote down this frivolous resolution, as it involved an attack upon the government.
Upon a division being taken, Mr. Herron˙s resolution was defeated by a vote of ninety to forty-one.
The House then went into Committee of Ways and Means.
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