OTTAWA — The leader of the Opposition couldn’t ask a question without the Speaker bizarrely stepping in, while Pierre Poilievre insists Liberal MPs are telling their Conservative counterparts they’ve been muzzled by their party.
The Tory leader had just finished his first query during question period on Monday — asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about reports that Liberal MPs were forbidden to speak about the internal power struggle brewing within the Liberal party — when Speaker Greg Fergus stepped in.
“The 40 Liberals members are noting what Canadians know already, that this prime minister is not worth the cost, the crime and the corruption,” Poilievre said in French.
“Those MPs are telling us that they need the prime minister’s permission to speak at tomorrow’s caucus meeting, so he will be able to muzzle them with regards to the doubling of our debt, of inflation, of housing costs and corruption. Will he allow freedom of expression for his MPs so that they can express themselves?”
As the prime minister rose to reply, Fergus was already on his feet.
“So, uh, the chair could not detect that this question has to do with the administration of government,” Fergus said as a confused silence swept through the House of Commons.
He then took his seat, allowing the prime minister to reply.
“We see very clearly once again that the leader of the Opposition should concern himself with his priorities,” Trudeau responded in French.
“He doesn’t care about Canadians’ priorities. We’re delivering for Canadians on dental care, for pharmacare, for $10-a-day daycare. The Conservative leader offers only cuts and austerity and political play.”
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After Poilievre asked the same question in English, Fergus again rose with criticism, prompting an explanation from the Opposition leader.
“Mr. Speaker, I’m sorry to have to bring up this terrible rule, it’s just that Liberal backbench MPs are coming and talking to all of us to say that they’re not allowed to speak to him and they’re wondering if I could perhaps pose some questions to him on their behalf,” he said.
“They can’t get anywhere with the current prime minister, so they’d rather talk to the future common-sense Conservative prime minister.”
The prime minister stayed seated, refusing to respond to Poilievre’s question.
Wednesday’s Liberal caucus meeting is expected to be a raucous one as backbencher Liberal MPs grow increasingly critical of the PM’s plummeting approval ratings and the growing public unrest with the Liberal government.
All appeared rosy as members of the Liberal cabinet met for their weekly meeting on Tuesday with ministers offering glowing praise and support for Trudeau.
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