Four New Democrat MPs were escorted off the House of Commons floor following a tense confrontation that Speaker Greg Fergus witnessed after a marathon session on a GST holiday bill. Blacklock's Reporter says Conservative MP Tracy Gray (Kelowna-Lake Country, B.C.) described the incident as deeply unsettling.“I felt physically intimidated,” said Gray, recounting how New Democrat MPs swarmed her desk late Thursday night. “I hardly said anything because I was so in shock from what was going on.”The altercation followed a vote on Bill C-78, which proposed a $1.6 billion GST holiday on holiday goods. Tempers flared as New Democrat MPs joined Liberals to pass the measure, drawing jeers from Conservatives.“I have never in my professional life experienced anything like that with respect to the level of aggression and unprofessional behaviour that was occurring,” Gray told the House, adding, “I was quite shaken.”New Democrat MP Lindsay Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe, Ont.) defended her party, saying the behaviour from Conservatives had become intolerable. “Even leading up to it, there has been an escalation in the Opposition Lobby and in this chamber in terms of the levels of toxicity and unacceptable behaviour,” she said, filing a formal complaint with the Speaker.“The House has become a toxic environment and an unsafe workplace,” Mathyssen added. “Canadians expect Members of Parliament to debate and disagree vigorously, but we need to uphold a standard of conduct.”Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill) disputed the narrative, accusing the New Democrats of acting aggressively after the vote. “What I saw was NDP members standing with a very aggressive posture, almost with hands in the faces of my colleagues,” she said.Witnesses said Mathyssen approached the Commons floor with New Democrat MPs Blake Desjarlais (Edmonton Griesbach), Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody-Coquitlam, B.C.), and Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East), shouting and gesturing animatedly. Conservative MP Michael Barrett (Leeds-Grenville, Ont.) said the group surrounded his desk. “There were hands being put in my face,” he told the House.Rempel Garner suggested the New Democrats were under pressure for their alliance with the governing Liberals. “If the NDP are feeling the heat because of their choices to keep propping up this corrupt government, that is something they have to live with,” she said.Fergus intervened to restore order, cautioning MPs to behave with decorum. The Assistant Sergeant at Arms escorted the four New Democrats off the floor.“I understand some votes are the subject of strong disagreement,” Fergus said. “But still, it is expected that all members comport themselves appropriately.”
