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http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/19/asia/canada-trudeau-apology/
It was only a matter of time.
Since Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister of Canada last November, he seemed -- at least in the public's eyes -- capable of doing no wrong.
Hailed as the "anti-Trump," Trudeau impressed with hiscommitment towards gender equality and embrace of Syrian refugees. Then there was also his athletic prowess and his grasp of quantum computing.
The world was clearly enjoying a love-affair with the young, charismatic leader.
Trudeau brings warm front to Washington
But the Prime Minister was caught in a storm of controversy Wednesday afternoon when frustrations in the House of Commons saw Trudeau grabbing one lawmaker and then, accidentally elbowing another.
Things are very very bad in the House. Nearly a physical altercation between Mulcair and Trudeau. #cdnpoli
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) May 18, 2016
The altercation occurred when members had gathered for a vote on a controversialassisted-dying bill.
Trudeau, impatient to get the vote started, is seen on video striding over to Opposition whip Gordon Brown. He grabs Brown's arm to direct him to his seat. New Democrat Party (NDP) Parliament member Ruth Ellen Brosseau gets elbowed by Trudeau in the process.
The Prime Minister has been accused of "manhandling" a MP in the House of Commons.https://t.co/qrU0zYH9LZ #cdnpolihttps://t.co/qwaDHQPAK8
— The National (@CBCTheNational) May 19, 2016
'This is not Canada'
It immediately created an uproar with several MPs rushing to the floor and exchanging heated words.
"What kind of man elbows a woman? It's pathetic! You're pathetic!" Mulcair to Trudeau https://t.co/eTkceO1fI3
— Stephen Taylor (@stephen_taylor) May 18, 2016
NDP House leader Peter Julian immediately criticized Trudeau for manhandling Brown.
"Physical force in this house is never permitted, is never welcomed and it is entirely inappropriate," Julian said. "The actions of the prime minister I have never seen any member of the house act toward another member or members as he just did, Mr. Speaker."
I have never seen a display of bully behaviour by a Canadian politician let alone a Prime Minister as I witnessed just now in the Chamber.
— David Sweet (@DavidSweetMP) May 18, 2016
"There is not a parallel in contemporary Canadian history. We hear about members becoming physical in other countries but that is not Canada," Julian also said.
The quarrel upset Brosseau enough that she left and missed the vote.
Trudeau apologizes
Quick to realize his mistake, Trudeau offered up several apologies to Brosseau directly and publicly.
"I noticed that the member, the Opposite member whip, was being impeded in his progress," Trudeau began expressing his remorse to the chamber, pausing due to intense murmuring from the crowd.
Turkish politicians embroiled in violent brawl 01:10
"I took it upon myself to go and assist him forward, which was I now see unadvisable as a course of action, and resulted in physical contact in this house that we can all accept was unacceptable and I apologize for that unreservedly," he said.
To be sure, the breakdown of civility is not excusable -- especially not for someone who holds elected office.
But it was a very Canadian "brawl" -- that is, really not much of one, especially compared to the rumbles seen in other parliaments around the world.
And at the very least, it served as a good reminder to the world that Trudeau's human too.
It was only a matter of time.
Since Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister of Canada last November, he seemed -- at least in the public's eyes -- capable of doing no wrong.
Hailed as the "anti-Trump," Trudeau impressed with hiscommitment towards gender equality and embrace of Syrian refugees. Then there was also his athletic prowess and his grasp of quantum computing.
The world was clearly enjoying a love-affair with the young, charismatic leader.
Trudeau brings warm front to Washington
But the Prime Minister was caught in a storm of controversy Wednesday afternoon when frustrations in the House of Commons saw Trudeau grabbing one lawmaker and then, accidentally elbowing another.
Things are very very bad in the House. Nearly a physical altercation between Mulcair and Trudeau. #cdnpoli
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) May 18, 2016
The altercation occurred when members had gathered for a vote on a controversialassisted-dying bill.
Trudeau, impatient to get the vote started, is seen on video striding over to Opposition whip Gordon Brown. He grabs Brown's arm to direct him to his seat. New Democrat Party (NDP) Parliament member Ruth Ellen Brosseau gets elbowed by Trudeau in the process.
The Prime Minister has been accused of "manhandling" a MP in the House of Commons.https://t.co/qrU0zYH9LZ #cdnpolihttps://t.co/qwaDHQPAK8
— The National (@CBCTheNational) May 19, 2016
'This is not Canada'
It immediately created an uproar with several MPs rushing to the floor and exchanging heated words.
"What kind of man elbows a woman? It's pathetic! You're pathetic!" Mulcair to Trudeau https://t.co/eTkceO1fI3
— Stephen Taylor (@stephen_taylor) May 18, 2016
NDP House leader Peter Julian immediately criticized Trudeau for manhandling Brown.
"Physical force in this house is never permitted, is never welcomed and it is entirely inappropriate," Julian said. "The actions of the prime minister I have never seen any member of the house act toward another member or members as he just did, Mr. Speaker."
I have never seen a display of bully behaviour by a Canadian politician let alone a Prime Minister as I witnessed just now in the Chamber.
— David Sweet (@DavidSweetMP) May 18, 2016
"There is not a parallel in contemporary Canadian history. We hear about members becoming physical in other countries but that is not Canada," Julian also said.
The quarrel upset Brosseau enough that she left and missed the vote.
Trudeau apologizes
Quick to realize his mistake, Trudeau offered up several apologies to Brosseau directly and publicly.
"I noticed that the member, the Opposite member whip, was being impeded in his progress," Trudeau began expressing his remorse to the chamber, pausing due to intense murmuring from the crowd.
Turkish politicians embroiled in violent brawl 01:10
"I took it upon myself to go and assist him forward, which was I now see unadvisable as a course of action, and resulted in physical contact in this house that we can all accept was unacceptable and I apologize for that unreservedly," he said.
To be sure, the breakdown of civility is not excusable -- especially not for someone who holds elected office.
But it was a very Canadian "brawl" -- that is, really not much of one, especially compared to the rumbles seen in other parliaments around the world.
And at the very least, it served as a good reminder to the world that Trudeau's human too.
