Tuesday, December 23, 2025
ADVT 
National

Weeping Paul Calandra apologizes to Commons for non-answer in question period

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 26 Sep, 2014 10:28 AM

    OTTAWA - Conservative MP Paul Calandra has made a tearful apology to the House of Commons for his non-answers to opposition questions this week.

    Calandra, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's parliamentary secretary, rose on a point of order to tell the House he was sorry for his conduct.

    His voice cracked as he appeared to fight back tears during the apology.

    Calandra says he allowed his "passion" and "anger" to get in the way of properly responding to a question earlier this week from NDP Leader Tom Mulcair.

    Mulcair was asking the government to clarify when the 30-day window for Canada's current mission in Iraq would close.

    Calandra responded by raising a comment about Israel posted to social media by a party supporter.

    "I allowed the passion and the anger which, something I read, to get in the way of appropriately answering a question to the leader of the Opposition," Calandra told the House today.

    "For that I apologize to you and to this entire House and to my constituents."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Several People Stranded On Highway 99 Near Lillooet, Following Mudslides

    Several People Stranded On Highway 99 Near Lillooet, Following Mudslides
    LILLOOET, B.C. - Several people were stranded overnight on Highway 99 north of Lillooet, B.C., after four vehicles got caught between two mudslides that closed a section of the road.

    Several People Stranded On Highway 99 Near Lillooet, Following Mudslides

    NEB rules in favour of Kinder Morgan over Burnaby Mountain access

    NEB rules in favour of Kinder Morgan over Burnaby Mountain access
    The National Energy Board has sided with Kinder Morgan in a dispute with the City of Burnaby over access to Burnaby Mountain.

    NEB rules in favour of Kinder Morgan over Burnaby Mountain access

    Teen who killed family granted unescorted temporary absence from prison

    Teen who killed family granted unescorted temporary absence from prison
    A British Columbia man who, as a teen, murdered four people and left a two-month-old baby alone in a room with her dead mother, has been granted unescorted temporary absences from prison.

    Teen who killed family granted unescorted temporary absence from prison

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper embarking on annual tour of the North

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper embarking on annual tour of the North
    Stephen Harper is set to embark on his annual trek to the North, his ninth time doing so since becoming prime minister.

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper embarking on annual tour of the North

    Shakeup at PCO as Wouters leaves office that oversees PMO's daily operations

    Shakeup at PCO as Wouters leaves office that oversees PMO's daily operations
    Moments after Wayne Wouters announced his retirement as clerk of the Privy Council, the prime minister named Janice Charette to the post.

    Shakeup at PCO as Wouters leaves office that oversees PMO's daily operations

    Mulcair says smoking weed 'personal choice' but doesn't call for legalization

    Mulcair says smoking weed 'personal choice' but doesn't call for legalization
    NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair is accusing the Conservatives of politicizing the debate on marijuana, saying his party believes the use of weed is a personal choice while recalling his own years as a young student puffing on "oregano."

    Mulcair says smoking weed 'personal choice' but doesn't call for legalization