Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet is demanding an apology from NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh for calling one of his MPs a racist.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet is demanding an apology from NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh for calling one of his MPs a racist.
During a news conference on Parliament Hill today, Blanchet said House Speaker Anthony Rota must be “severe” if an apology to Alain Therrien isn’t forthcoming.
Singh was expelled from the House for the remainder of the day Wednesday after calling Therrien a racist for refusing to support an NDP motion dealing with systemic racism in the RCMP and making what he described as a dismissive gesture.
Blanchet said the one-day suspension is not enough.
“I hope his apology will be as fervent as his insult was,” Blanchet said.
Singh’s office said the NDP leader does not intend to apologize.
“No, he has nothing to apologize for,” said a spokesperson.
Blanchet said that if Rota does not take action, all MPs would feel “entitled” to trade insults on the floor of the House of Commons. He also said he was “stupefied” by his accusation against Therrien.
Therrien ‘not a racist’: Blanchet
“He’s not a racist. He loves everyone,” he said.
Blanchet said 95 per cent of his Twitter feed is now English comments — most of them levelling accusations of racism against his party.
Watch: Blanchet on Singh’s claim that BQ MP is a racist
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François