He’s been criticized for lacking experience, but on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave parliamentarians a glimpse of skills he may have learned in his work as a nightclub bouncer when he elbowed a female NDP MP in the chest while physically escorting a Conservative MP from the floor of the House of Commons.
- Read more: Liberals withdraw controversial procedural motion
- Read more: A history of parliamentary pandemonium
- Read more: Canadians mock 'manhandling' by Trudeau
- Read more: Why emotions run high in Chamber's small quarters
The clash came during a heated parliamentary session, as the government tried to push through a vote to limit debate on its controversial assisted-dying bill. Opposition MPs appeared to be dallying to stall a vote.
Examining the video record of the incident, here’s a frame-by-frame account of the fracas:
With several opposition MPs clustered together on the chamber floor, Trudeau rises from his seat and briskly strides over in an immaculate three-piece suit. Someone shouts, “Here he comes!”
Edging his way into the group of opposition MPs, Trudeau firmly grabs Conservative whip, MP Gordon Brown, by the elbow.
As he’s pulling Brown away from the group, Trudeau elbows NPD MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau squarely in the chest. Brosseau had been standing behind the PM.
Brosseau turns abruptly, shouting “Ow!” as Trudeau struts away with Brown. Liberal MPs begin cheering and applauding while Brosseau clutches her chest.
Trudeau leads Brown for several paces before returning to his seat. Amidst a chorus of opposition jeering, Trudeau rises and approaches the group again. One MP can be seen taking a deep, apparently sarcastic bow as Trudeau strides past. Brosseau can be seen walking off the floor, taking her smartphone out as she goes. Initially, Trudeau appears to be following her.
NDP leader Thomas Mulcair starts haranguing Trudeau. The two face off. “What kind of man elbows a woman?” Mulcair shouts, jabbing his finger into the air. “It’s pathetic! You’re pathetic!”
MPs leave their seats en masse and join the crowd.
Speaker of the House MP Geoff Regan rises from his chair and gestures for people to sit down. “Order, order!” he shouts before turning to a group of smartphone-wielding MPs. “Members should put away their black— you’re not allowed to take photographs in here.” Regan pauses. “Members will restrain themselves,” he says in vain. The camera stays firmly on him, but yelling can still be heard in the background.
