Justin Trudeau Apologizes For Physical Contact With Parliament Members

The incident is now being termed “elbowgate” by some after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was accused of using his elbows on one member of the opposition and “manhandling” another. Trudeau has apologized for his actions while Canadian Members of Parliament attempt to make sense of what brought on this unprecedented turn of events in the usually orderly Canadian House of Commons on Wednesday.

‘I expect better behaviour of myself’: PM Justin Trudeau apologizes for actions https://t.co/kk0rHRds7y #cdnpoli https://t.co/hR7EP093gU

— CBC News (@CBCNews) May 19, 2016

The scene was set as Parliamentarians were waiting to make a vote. MP Gordon Brown was surrounded by several New Democratic MPs who were seemingly disallowing him from taking his place. The Guardian relays what actions by Trudeau followed, which have resulted in a number of apologies from the prime minister.

“Trudeau swore as he strode toward Brown, reportedly telling MPs to ‘get the f**k out of the way’. Footage from the House of Commons showed Trudeau elbowing New Democrat Ruth Ellen Brosseau as he pulled Brown away from the group. Mayhem ensued. MPs shouted and pounded their desks as Tom Mulcair, leader of the New Democratic party, lashed out at Trudeau. ‘What kind of man elbows a woman? It’s pathetic! You’re pathetic!” Mulcair shouted. Trudeau later apologised twice for the incident.'”

The day following the strange scene that ended in a heated manner, Justin Trudeau apologized profusely for his actions and shared that he seeks to make amends with those members of parliament who he offended and used physical action towards.

The publication shares the prime minister’s words.

“No amount of escalation or mood in this house justifies my behaviour last night. I made a mistake, I regret it, I’m looking to make amends. I accept full responsibility for my poor choices last night and I ask for Canadians’ understanding and forgiveness.”

Trudeau stated that his actions were soon to be reviewed by the House of Commons committee on the procedure of house affairs. Opposition MPs vary in their wishes for how the situation should be handled by the House of Commons. While some are simply insisting that to make amends Trudeau should remove a motion put forth that would give the government the power to decide when meetings and debates were to be adjourned, as CBC News notes, others wanted more severe action to be taken. Many MPs of the opposition believe that Justin Trudeau’s actions were in contempt.

Editorial: What was Justin Trudeau thinking? He wasn’t https://t.co/wATcuW3g6U From @GlobeDebate pic.twitter.com/jsTc0QDVFH

— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) May 19, 2016

Many opposition MPs voiced their disapproval, noting that Trudeau’s actions are an embarrassment and state that such behavior is unacceptable in any work place, but the fact that the incident transpired in the House of Commons is shameful.

“‘No one should ever have to deal with this kind of behaviour in any workplace,’ the opposition leader, Rona Ambrose, said in a statement. ‘The fact that it’s the prime minister of Canada is embarrassing. He should be ashamed of his actions.'”

Comparisons between Canada’s former longtime Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau were also made following the incident, insisting that Harper would have been treated in a much more harsh manner than Justin Trudeau if he had been guilty of the same actions.

“Conservative Jason Kenney tweeted that if Stephen Harper, the country’s former prime minister, had ever physically bullied MPs as Trudeau did on Wednesday,there would be immediate and widespread demands for his resignation.”

https://twitter.com/LucilleRoss/status/733641624874409984

The only other time that a member of the Canadian government was guilty of physical action was in 2013, when late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford “bowled over a 63-year-old female city councillor as he rushed to defend his brother, councillor Doug Ford, who was arguing with members of the public in the council chamber.”

Although Trudeau brought criticism from many for his actions, he also had supporters.

“There is nothing intentional that happened here,” said Liberal Judy Foote. “And I think we have to bear in mind that sometimes emotions run very high, but at this point in time I think we need to accept the prime minister’s apology and recognise that civil obedience is something that we all appreciate.”

[Photo by Mark Lennihan/AP Images]