Mr. Chair, my concern here is that this is about protecting workers. This is about protecting the interpreters, who have been under immense pressure. They're short-staffed because of the injuries they've incurred at committee because of members of Parliament not using the proper, authorized House of Commons equipment.
We were clearly given instructions by the Speaker to use the House of Commons equipment or we couldn't participate. That's my understanding.
I don't like to talk about what we talk about in caucus as New Democrats, but I'll share this with you. If you don't have the proper head gear, you're not participating in our caucus, because we have an obligation to protect the employees who work here.
To show up to a committee meeting and not have the proper equipment, putting staff at risk, and then assuming that your privilege and right are going to supersede the health of workers.... I actually don't support that.
I'm open to getting clarification from the Speaker, but, as parliamentarians, we have an obligation to protect those workers.