MPs can use terms like "erratic" and "unhinged" in debates, Speaker Greg Fergus clarified Wednesday. Blacklock's Reporter says the decision followed protests about the language used during contentious Commons exchanges, with some arguing that too many descriptors were being deemed inappropriate.“That language has been used here before,” Fergus said, dismissing objections from Green Party and New Democrat MPs.The issue arose after Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle) used the terms to describe New Democrat MPs during an evening debate. “Points were raised about the erratic and unhinged behaviour of the NDP members in the chamber,” Scheer said.Green Party MP Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.) questioned the appropriateness of the terms, asking, “Is ‘erratic’ and ‘unhinged’ considered parliamentary language in this place?”“I have heard that language being used before in this place,” Fergus replied, deeming it acceptable. However, New Democrat House Leader Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, B.C.) called the remarks “utterly inappropriate” and suggested they bordered on misogyny. Fergus declined to escalate the debate, saying, “I do not want to open up a debate on this issue.”The ruling follows a string of incidents in the 44th Parliament involving heated language. Conservative MP Corey Tochor (Saskatoon-University) was reprimanded on November 22 for saying cabinet was “pissing away taxpayers’ money.” On December 6, Conservative MP Damien Kurek (Battle River-Crowfoot, Alta.) was ejected for calling the Prime Minister a liar.However, Fergus rejected a request from Deputy Government House Leader Mark Gerretsen (Kingston and the Islands, Ont.) in April to ban references to the Prime Minister as corrupt. “I am concerned we are going down a road where we have way too many things we are not able to talk about freely,” said Conservative MP Mike Lake (Edmonton-Wetaskiwin) during that debate.The use of "erratic" and "unhinged" followed a particularly tense Commons session on November 28, when New Democrat MPs confronted Conservatives for jeering during a vote. Four NDP MPs surrounded a Conservative member's desk, prompting accusations of intimidation.“I felt physically intimidated,” said Conservative MP Tracy Gray (Kelowna-Lake Country, B.C.). “I hardly said anything because I was so in shock from what was going on.”Gray described the encounter as “aggressive and unprofessional,” adding, “I was quite shaken.”
