'Quack quack,' 'pig in a poke' and other unparliamentary words used in P.E.I. sittings

Animal sounds, references, among phrases to earn cautions from P.E.I. Speaker in 2016

Image | Coles building

Caption: The report on unparliamentary language is part of the 2016 Annual Report of the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly. (Kerry Campbell/CBC)

Some of the unparliamentary language uttered by members in the P.E.I. Legislative Assembly in 2016 was more colourful than other.
The phrases range from animal noises, to accusations of lies.
According to rule 34(2) of the Legislative Assembly, members are prohibited from using "language or words offensive toward the House or any member."
It's up to the Speaker of the House to decide, as he or she hears it, what constitutes unparliamentary language during debate.
Generally, comments that question the honesty or integrity of a member are considered off-limits, as are personal attacks.
Members were cautioned by the speaker in 2016 for uttering the following:
  • Quack, quack
  • A pig in a poke
  • Frigged
  • Skew
  • Puppets
  • BS
  • Sly
  • Creative accounting
  • Smoke and mirrors
  • Rosy up [the deficit figure]
  • Weak association to the truth
  • Hypocrisy
  • Gypped
  • Bold-faced lie
  • Mislead Islanders
  • Hell
A new session of the legislature will begin Nov. 14.