The prime minister apologized twice yesterday “unreservedly” for marching from his seat in the House of Commons to in effect break up a cluster of MPs who in his opinion were delaying the business of house. The Opposition was upset because of the government’s decision to limit debate on suicide legislation. Mr. Trudeau apologized first after he was accused of pushing aside NDP MPs who were standing on the Commons floor in advance of a vote to limit debate on the assisted dying bill, C-14. He was accused of manhandling the Opposition whip Gordon Brown and in doing so, pushed NDP MP Ruth-Ellen Brosseau out of the way, triggering a shouting match between NDP leader Tom Mulcair and Trudeau. Trudeau stood moments later and apologized, saying he thought that a gaggle of MPs were “impeding” the path of the Conservative whip before the vote, and that this lacked respect for Parliament, adding he thought it was important that the vote take place. But Trudeau suggested he may have accidentally come in contact with other MPs and apologized if anyone was offended. Speaker Geoff Regan tongue lashed the prime minister for his actions saying it was the speaker’s job to call a vote once one whip was in place, as the government’s was. Second apology below
