Wednesday, December 24, 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

    Body of man found near missing Ontario journalist's car, no ID released yet

    Body of man found near missing Ontario journalist's car, no ID released yet
    Police say they've found a body of a man not far from where the vehicle of a missing Ontario journalist was located.

    Body of man found near missing Ontario journalist's car, no ID released yet

    Death of aboriginal girl, 15, dumped in Red River renews calls for inquiry

    WINNIPEG - The death of a 15-year-old aboriginal girl found wrapped in a bag and dumped in the Red River is prompting renewed calls for a national...

    Death of aboriginal girl, 15, dumped in Red River renews calls for inquiry

    More lenient marijuana laws still on the table, justice minister says

    More lenient marijuana laws still on the table, justice minister says
    VANCOUVER - The federal government is still assessing whether to allow police to ticket people caught with small amounts of marijuana instead of pursuing...

    More lenient marijuana laws still on the table, justice minister says

    Lac-Megantic: TSB blames railway for safety issues, Ottawa for poor oversight

    LAC-MEGANTIC, Que. - The combination of a lack of government oversight and a penny-pinching railway contributed to the deadly oil-train disaster that devastated...

    Lac-Megantic: TSB blames railway for safety issues, Ottawa for poor oversight

    'Apologies are not enough;' Alberta tightens rules on use of government planes

    'Apologies are not enough;' Alberta tightens rules on use of government planes
    EDMONTON - The Alberta government is tightening rules for government aircraft following a harsh report that outlined inappropriate use of the planes by former premier Alison Redford...

    'Apologies are not enough;' Alberta tightens rules on use of government planes

    Mulcair maligns Conservatives for proposed cuts to health care, marijuana stance

    Mulcair maligns Conservatives for proposed cuts to health care, marijuana stance
    OTTAWA - NDP leader Thomas Mulcair is chastising the Conservatives on their proposed cuts to health care while accusing them of politicizing the debate on marijuana...

    Mulcair maligns Conservatives for proposed cuts to health care, marijuana stance