‘It was an embarrassment’: B.C. Speaker scolds MLAs following unruly debate

The house speaker had some harsh criticism for members of the legislature after a fiery exchange of barbs during question period.

British Columbia’s Speaker of the Legislative Assembly delivered a rare public rebuke to members of the legislature Tuesday, after question period deteriorated into shouting, heckling and repeated interruptions.

“It was an embarrassment,” Speaker Raj Chouhan said as the bell rang to end the proceedings.

Chouhan gestured toward both sides of the house and made it clear he was scolding the two major parties.

“Don’t try to be too cool. The public watches us every day,” he said. “The behaviour shown today is not acceptable.”

Question period began calmly enough, but quickly unraveled as the opposition pressed the government over its decision to shut down the independent merit commissioner’s office.

Interim B.C. Conservatives leader Trevor Halford accused the NDP government of undermining accountability.

“This is a government that has no intention of hiring based on merit,” he said.

Finance Minister Brenda Bailey defended the move, saying the province is facing “unprecedented financial times,” and that shifting the responsibilities to the Public Service Agency would save about $2 million.

Bailey’s remarks were repeatedly interrupted by members across the aisle, prompting the Speaker to intervene several times.

“Members, members,” Chouhan said, urging them to come to order and reminding them they were “taking (their) own time.”

As the exchanges grew louder, accusations flew back and forth and members spoke over one another, at times making it difficult to follow the debate.

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