Trudeau’s elbow incident resolved
Committee accepts apology for May 18 fracas
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will not have to deliver any more apologies or face any parliamentary sanctions for knocking into a New Democrat with his elbow.
With Trudeau’s apology for elbowing another MP accepted, the point of privilege raised May 18 was resolved and “no further action is required,” a House of Commons committee decided unanimously Tuesday.
Procedure and House Affairs Committee members heard a statement from Ruth Ellen Brosseau, the MP who was elbowed by the prime minister in a heated kerfuffle two weeks ago, from her NDP colleague David Christopherson — the only NDP MP on the committee.
“It is my sincere hope that all members will work to ensure that we never see this conduct repeated, and also that we take this opportunity to recommit to improving the tone of debate in Parliament,” said the statement.”
During the fracas, the prime minister had crossed the floor to hurry along Conservative Whip Gordon Brown ahead of a vote on time allocation for the assisted dying legislation, Bill C-14. In the process, by Trudeau’s own admission, he accidentally elbowed Brosseau. She said in the aftermath that this overwhelmed her and caused her to miss the vote.
“The details of the unprecedented physical interaction between the prime minister and members of the opposition are well documented, and such an incident would not be acceptable in any workplace,” the statement said.
“It left many members stunned and raised important questions about the conduct of the prime minister in a House that was already confronted with unprecedented government measures to limit debate.”
But “I accept (Trudeau’s) apology,” the statement read.
Christopherson acknowledged Trudeau’s apology and said it was his role to inform the rest of the committee that the apology and the committee hearing in itself would be enough for Brosseau to consider the matter resolved.
Christopherson said Brosseau couldn’t be there herself because she is in a trade delegation to China.
There was no debate among committee members on the point.
Liberal MP Arnold Chan said that May 18 was “not a good day for parliament” and everyone wants to move on. “We need to conduct ourselves in a much more respectful manner,” he said, and this could be a “learning moment” for all MPs.
IT LEFT MANY MEMBERS STUNNED.