It didn’t take long for opposition MPs to condemn Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after he was accused of elbowing NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau in the chest and got into a yelling match with NDP Leader Tom Mulcair in the House of Commons.
- 'It was my mistake': Trudeau wants to make amends
- Elbowgate: Canadians mock 'manhandling' by Trudeau in the House
- Pandemonium in Parliament: A history of confrontations in the House of Commons
- Emotions heightened in Chamber's small quarters: analyst
Here’s a sample of what Conservative and New Democrat MPs are saying on Twitter about the incident that some have labelled ‘elbowgate.’
Potential Conservative leadership contender Jason Kenney called the incident “physical bullying” and suggested that former prime minister Stephen Harper wouldn’t have gotten away with it:
So Justin Trudeau's increasingly dictatorial conduct has now turned into physical bullying of MPs. Bizarre, unforgivable, unprecedented.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) May 18, 2016
If Stephen Harper had ever physically bullied MPs like Justin Trudeau, there would be immediate & widespread demands for his resignation.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) May 18, 2016
Kenney also made a joke: “I guess this is what the Liberals get for choosing a former bar bouncer as their Leader.”
I guess this is what the Liberals get for choosing a former bar bouncer as their Leader.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) May 18, 2016
And Kenney compared Liberal supporters who were defending the prime minister to Donald Trump’s supporters.
Something I'm learning tonight: a lot of Trudeau supporters are like Trump supporters. They defend the indefensible, including bullying.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) May 19, 2016
NDP MP Niki Ashton was close to Brosseau when the incident occurred. She called it “disgusting.”
I have never seen anything like it. I witnessed the PM push one of my colleagues into my desk in the House of Commons. #disgusting
— Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) May 18, 2016
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel defended Brosseau:
#webelievevictims https://t.co/24sgddd2MQ
— Michelle Rempel, MP (@MichelleRempel) May 18, 2016
People tweeting "her arm isn't broken" or "it was just an accident" might want to rethink those particular tweets.
— Michelle Rempel, MP (@MichelleRempel) May 18, 2016
NDP MP Randall Garrison said he was shocked, deeming it “physical bullying by the prime minister.”
Just witnessed shocking physical bullying by the Prime Minister on the floor of the House of Commons #shame #notafeminist #cdnpoli
— Randall Garrison (@r_garrison) May 18, 2016
Former Conservative veterans minister Erin O’Toole said the prime minister should have risen above the melee.
Quite disappointed in conduct of many in the House tonight. The Prime Minister should lead by example & not be part of a melee.
— Erin O'Toole (@ErinOTooleMP) May 18, 2016
Former Conservative minister Peter Kent called it “bizarre” and “outrageous.”
Bizarre..outrageous behavior by Prime Minister, manhandling MPs before #ClosureVote pic.twitter.com/k3d2NjlAzA
— Hon. Peter Kent (@KentThornhillMP) May 18, 2016
MP Lisa Raitt was not in the House of Commons when the incident occurred. “What the hell is going on?” she wrote:
I'm in my riding tonight and I am just tuning into twitter. Ummm... What the hell is going on in the House of Commons?
— Lisa Raitt (@lraitt) May 18, 2016
