Speaker Greg Fergus kicked Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre out of question period Tuesday after a particularly nasty exchange with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Poilievre’s day-long removal from the House of Commons came after he called Trudeau a “wacko” for supporting B.C.’s past policy of decriminalizing some hard drugs in an attempt to reduce the number of overdose-related deaths.
Poilievre said it was a “wacko policy” backed by “this wacko prime minister.” Fergus asked him to withdraw the “unparliamentary language.”
Poilievre refused, saying only that he agreed to replace “wacko” with “extremist” or “radical.” Poilievre’s refusal prompted Fergus to remove him.
“There are a couple of things that are going on here today that are not acceptable,” Fergus said.
He later called it a “remarkable question period” after MPs from all sides yelled at one another and called each other names.
Following Poilievre’s removal, the Conservative caucus left the Commons chamber en masse, following their leader.
Trudeau fielded a few more questions Tuesday from Bloc and NDP MPs and then left the chamber after the fracas.
Speaker tosses Poilievre from House of Commons
After asking Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre several times to withdraw comments made during question period Tuesday, Speaker of the House Greg Fergus orders Poilievre to withdraw from the House of Commons.
Poilievre turned to social media after getting the boot. “The Liberal speaker censored me for describing Trudeau’s hard drug policy as wacko,” he posted.
“Six people dying from overdoses every day in B.C. is wacko. Nurses worried about breastfeeding after breathing in toxic drug fumes is wacko. This is a wacko policy from a wacko PM that’s destroying lives.”
Trudeau calls Poilievre ‘spineless’
Trudeau also engaged in name-calling, saying at one point that Poilievre was a “spineless” leader.
He said Poilievre is trying to “earn votes through personal attacks” after the Conservative leader raised Trudeau’s past episodes of wearing blackface.
Trudeau accused Poilievre of courting “white nationalist groups” with his visit to an anti-carbon tax protest camp in the Maritimes earlier this month.
While at the camp, Poilievre stepped into a trailer that had a symbol associated with Diagolon drawn on the door.
That’s a group the RCMP has said supports an “accelerationist” ideology — the idea that civil war or the collapse of western governments is inevitable and ought to be sped up.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was kicked out of the House of Commons Tuesday for calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a ‘wacko.’ (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
“He will not denounce them and everything they stand for,” Trudeau said of Poilievre, while also citing American conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ endorsement of Poilievre.
“This is a 19-year career politician who knows exactly what he’s doing and thinks he can get away with it,” Trudeau said.
“It is a choice to pander to white nationalists. It’s a choice to not condemn them and everything they stand for in his quest for votes.”
Poilievre at one point said he wouldn’t take lessons on racism from a prime minister whose government gave anti-racism training money to Laith Marouf, a Montreal man who had a history of making antisemitic remarks in social media posts.
The government cut off funding to Marouf’s company in 2022 after public scrutiny of his hateful tweets.
Alberta Conservative MP kicked out of the House of Commons
Speaker of the House Greg Fergus orders Conservative MP Rachael Thomas to withdraw from the House of Commons for ‘disregarding the authority of the chair.’ Thomas was heard saying ‘the chair is acting in a disgraceful manner.’
Before Poilievre’s removal, Fergus had Conservative MP Rachael Thomas removed from the chamber after she shouted at him and called him “a disgrace” for not immediately demanding that Trudeau withdraw his comment about Poilievre being “spineless.”
Trudeau’s “spineless” remark did result in a rebuke from Fergus. The Speaker told Trudeau not to make comments that “call into question the character of an individual member of Parliament.”
It’s highly unusual for a Speaker to remove the Official Opposition leader from the Commons during question period.
A spokesperson for Poilievre framed his leader’s removal as an attempt by Fergus to “protect the prime minister” from tough questions and silence the Conservative leader.
“By any reasonable measure, these policies are wacko. The prime minister knows that and that’s why he refuses to answer why he is keeping dangerous drugs legal in British Columbia,” the spokesperson said.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
