Trudeau apologizes after elbowing lawmaker

TORONTO — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized before the Canadian Parliament for a third time Thursday, saying he expects better behavior of himself after elbowing a female lawmaker in the chest and grabbing another lawmaker.

Trudeau, 44, said he should not have made physical contact with the one lawmaker and said he accidentally bumped into the female lawmaker.

“I made a mistake. I regret it and I’m looking to make amends,” Trudeau said. “I expect better behavior of myself.”

Opposition lawmaker Ruth Ellen Brosseau said she had to leave the House of Commons chamber after being elbowed.

TV footage shows Trudeau hurriedly wading into a clutch of lawmakers who were blocking a lawmaker from getting to his seat as Trudeau’s Liberals tried to get a vote in on time.

The video shows Trudeau pulling the lawmaker in order to get a vote started on limiting debate on the government’s euthanasia legislation. As Trudeau turned around to pull the lawmaker, Brosseau can be seen grimacing in pain. Lawmakers said the prime minister used an expletive. Conservative lawmaker Peter Kent went so far as to suggest that Trudeau’s actions were in contempt of Parliament.

Trudeau apologized before Parliament twice on Wednesday and again Thursday.

“I ask Canadians’ understanding and forgiveness,” Trudeau said.

The incident has already impacted the government’s agenda and could delay the passing of the euthanasia bill. Liberal House leader Dominic LeBlanc said they still hope to pass the euthanasia bill before a Supreme Court deadline of June 6.