Trudeau calls Tories ‘bullies,’ withdraws question period ‘crap’ remark

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday faced Conservative calls for the House of Commons Speaker to kick him out after a heated exchange during question period.

Wednesday’s question period was particularly feisty as it came ahead of a vote on a Conservative motion of non-confidence in Trudeau’s government.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre questioned Trudeau, who had just returned from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, over the government’s recent purchase of a $9-million Manhattan apartment for the official residence of its New York consul general Tom Clark.

The old residence has been listed for sale for $13 million, a move that Global Affairs Canada has said will actually save the government money.

“Did the prime minister go and inspect this palace in the sky in his recent trip to New York?” Poilievre asked.

As Trudeau began to answer, Conservatives erupted in jeers, forcing Trudeau to pause and House Speaker Greg Fergus to intervene. The word “bathtub” was clearly audible at one point on the House of Commons feed, followed by laughter.

After Fergus allowed Trudeau to start his answer again, the prime minister said: “Mr. Speaker, don’t worry. On this side of the House, we’re used to casual homophobic comments from the other side of the House.”

Fergus stopped Trudeau again, admitted he didn’t hear the original comment, and asked Trudeau to withdraw his remark.

“Mr. Speaker, standing up to bullies requires us to call them out on their crap sometimes, and that is what I will do,” Trudeau said to cheers from the Liberal caucus.

Fergus then asked Trudeau “to once again to rise on his feet” and withdraw.

“I will happily withdraw my comment if the member who suggested that I was sharing a bathtub with Tom Clark