Bloc leader calls for NDP’s Jagmeet Singh to apologize for calling MP racist

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) — Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet is calling for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to apologize for calling an MP racist.

Blanchet said he believes Singh overreacted on Wednesday to a hand gesture from BQ MP Alain Therrien and misinterpreted it.

“And I sincerely believe that Mr. Singh is a good person. I always thought that and I still think that. He somehow dropped the ball and I hope he will take it back,” Blanchet said Thursday.

“I hope that the leader of the NDP will apologize, sincerely.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the Bloc for not acknowledging systemic racism, but wouldn’t comment on Singh’s accusation.

“It is not for me to criticize any Canadian, particularly not the only racialized leader in the House of Commons for making other people uncomfortable by calling them out for not recognizing racialized discrimination,” Trudeau said.

 

Singh was looking for unanimous consent in the House of Commons on Wednesday regarding a motion on RCMP discrimination, and calling for a review of the police force’s budget, as well as use of force.

However, one MP refused to support the motion, though it was unclear who said no.

Amid finger-pointing, Singh acknowledged he called Therrien racist, adding “I believe that’s so.”

When Singh refused to apologize, Speaker Anthony Rota ordered him to leave the House for the rest of the day for breaching parliamentary rules.

RELATED: ‘Why can’t we do something to save people’s lives?’: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh firm on accusations of racism

Afterwards, Singh said he didn’t regret making the comments.

He said he felt angry after Therrien seemed to brush off his comments.

“I look back and I saw that MP not only say no but make eye contact with me and kind of brush his hand, dismiss it. And in that moment, I got angry. I’ll be honest, I got angry,” said an emotional Singh.

“But I am sad now. Because why can’t we act? Why can’t we do something to save people’s lives? We can do something. And why would someone say no to that?”

The Bloc said it declined to endorse the NDP motion because it didn’t want to handcuff a Commons public safety committee study of RCMP racism.

The Bloc Quebecois then tried to stop NDP leader from being recognized in the Special COVID committee on Thursday because he did not apologize for his accusation of racism.

 

 

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