On June 2, 1999, I took under advisement a point of order respecting the honourable Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Cummings) using the words "if the member chooses to misrepresent the situation, that is his choice." The words were spoken about the honourable member for Dauphin (Mr. Struthers).

The phrase "choose to mislead" was ruled out of order in this House in November 1988, and I would further note that in November 1995 the phrase "the member chooses to misrepresent" was voluntarily withdrawn when a point of order was raised.

According to Webster's Dictionary, the word "misrepresent" suggests an incorrect or misleading representation or account, usually with an intention to deceive. What the minister said on June 2 infers there was intent on the part of the honourable member for Dauphin to mislead the House. I would therefore call on the honourable Minister of Natural Resources to withdraw the words in question.

Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, as I have warned my children when playing hockey, there is no such thing as an accidental butt end, and I apologize and withdraw the statement.

Madam Speaker: I thank the honourable minister.

I have a second ruling for the House.

On June 10, 1999, the acting government House leader, the honourable Minister of Education and Training (Mr. McCrae), raised a point of order that the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh) was calling to the attention of the House the absence of members from the House.

I took the matter under advisement and reviewed Hansard. What was said was "to the Minister of Justice, who appears to be losing his backers over there." There was no breach of Citation 481(c) of Beauchesne which states "a Member, while speaking, must not refer to the presence or absence of specific Members." The honourable minister did not have a point of order.