Fedeli calls NDP member an ‘idiot’
Finance minister apologizes for question period outburst,
Finance Minister Vic Fedeli called the NDP’s deputy leader an “idiot” in the legislature — an outburst he later apologized for.
After being asked twice by Sara Singh to divulge the name of the firm running the warehouse for the Ontario Cannabis Store, Fedeli said, in part, that “many of us on the government side came here in the same way: We serve the people today pro- vincially; many of us served the people locally and many of us were in business for ourselves beforehand. We understand how business works.
“I can appreciate very much that the NDP don’t quite understand how business works, but as the security of the OCS warehouse is a top priority, we will not be sharing further information on the day-to-day operation. That’s how business works. Idiot.”
After question period, Singh said it was disappointing that a cabinet minister ducked her question and resorted to “hurling out personal insults … it’s pretty petty, but it doesn’t dis- tract from what we are here to do.
“I’m a little disappointed actually to hear that, but my job is to ask questions and I would hope that rather than personal insults, I’d get answers,” said the Brampton Centre MPP.
Question period has been raucous since the June election.
Fedeli later told the legislature he was sorry.
“After an answer, I made an unparliamentary comment that I would like to withdraw, and I unreservedly apologize,” he said.
Speaker Ted Arnott thanked him “for showing respect for the house and withdrawing his unparliamentary remark unprompted. Thank you.”
Fedeli did not personally reach out to Singh to say sorry.
The contract with the firm was negotiated under the previous Liberal government.