Tensions rose between NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative Leader Pierre Poirierbre during a raucous question-and-answer session on Thursday, with Singh at one point stepping into the aisle and yelling at the Conservative leader.
Poirievre used the first round of questioning to criticize both the Bloc Québécois and the New Democrats for announcing they would not support a motion of no confidence that would topple the Liberal government.
During the fifth question, Poirievre accused Singh of trying to break the NDP’s previous governing agreement with the Liberals to secure the constituency seat. Winnipeg by-election earlier this week.
“Once the votes were counted, he betrayed them,” Poiriebre said.
“He’s a liar, a hypocrite and a con man. Who can believe anything this traitorous NDP leader has to say anymore?”
Witnesses said Singh stood up while Poirierbre was asking questions and began yelling at the Conservative leader.
As Poirievre took his seat, angry exchanges erupted in the House of Commons between Conservative and New Democrat lawmakers.
Singh left his seat, walked into the aisle and shouted at Poirievre. Two lawmakers in the chamber told CBC News that Singh said, “I’m here.” The incident was not captured on parliament’s cameras.
During Thursday’s question and answer session, Conservative Leader Pierre Poiriervre asked two consecutive questions of New Democratic Leader Jagmeet Singh, rather than the ruling Liberal Party. The questions caused Singh to stand up and shout at Poiriervre. The House of Commons cameras do not capture Singh, but Poiriervre can be seen shouting back at him. Speaker Greg Fergus restored order and said MPs needed to “operate by the rules.”
As Speaker Greg Fergus tried to restore order, Poirievre was seen on camera pointing in Singh’s direction and repeatedly telling him to “do it”.
Order was restored a few minutes later, with Fergus reminding MPs that “Canadians are watching us.”
“Let us do what is right for our constituencies and the country as a whole,” the Speaker said.
Poirievre began the question and answer session by criticising the Bloc, asking three times in French why it did not support a motion of no confidence in the Conservative party.
Questions during the Q&A session should be directed to the government. According to House procedureAfter Poirièvre’s first two questions were directed at the Bloc party, the ministers stood up and stopped answering, forcing Fergus, who called the situation “awkward”, to return to Poirièvre for further questioning.
After Mr Singh walked into the aisle, Mr Fergus reminded the House of Commons that Questions was about holding the Government to account.
“My colleagues, for this to work, we have to make sure we work within the rules that we set for ourselves,” he said.
“As a member of parliament, there are many avenues through which you can make any necessary comments outside of question time.”
A vote on the Conservative motion is due to take place next week.
