NDP leader apologizes for obscene gesture in legislature
REGINA The leader of Saskatchewan’s official Opposition apologized Thursday for making an obscene gesture in the legislative chamber one day earlier.
“I vow to do better in the future,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili.
Though Meili did not describe the gesture he made, the apology came after a social media statement from Saskatchewan Party MLA Nancy Heppner was shared. She wrote that Meili gave “the finger” to government members as he walked out of the chamber on Wednesday.
Meili used a statement immediately before question period on Thursday to address the concern.
“As you well know the tone and tenor of this place is not always what it should be and what people expect from us, and my duty as leader of the Opposition is to elevate that tone, not lower it,” he said, facing Speaker Mark Docherty.
“Yesterday, I failed in that duty, and I apologize to you and the members opposite, members on this side and most importantly to the people of Saskatchewan, who expect and deserve better.”
Meili would not explain what prompted his gesture when asked by reporters on Thursday, except to say the tone in the assembly on Wednesday was especially “toxic.”
“It was a particularly heavy and toxic debate yesterday in some ways that the members across were acting that really frustrated me,” he said. “I responded in a way that I should not have.”
He said he’d prefer to focus on more significant issues, including concerns around mental health and the tentative Unifor deal with the Co-op Refinery Complex announced Thursday. He led off debate that afternoon by calling for an inquest into the death of Samwel Uko in Regina.
Meili said his gesture on Wednesday was not directed at any individual member of the government. It occurred in the legislative chamber just after proceedings had adjourned.
At that time, members had just concluded debating a question of privilege relating to an NDP push for a debate on the refinery labour dispute. Docherty had just decided that NDP MLA Cathy Sproule attempted to “pressure the Speaker” by posting to social media before he ruled on the requested debate.
Sproule denied that she had any such intention. She called attempts by government members to “shut down” debate on the issue “shameful.”
Government House Leader Jeremy Harrison commended Meili for apologizing and said members consider the matter closed.
He said he witnessed the gesture on Wednesday and was “a bit surprised.” He called it “an obscene gesture made with the hand.”
“I haven’t really seen that occur in 13 years,” Harrison said. “But the leader of the Opposition did the right thing and made an apology in the chamber today.”