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."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canadian Killed In Iraq Fighting For ISIS! Is He Farah Mohamed Shirdon of Calgary

CALGARY - The federal government says it is aware of reports that a Canadian has been killed in Iraq.

Canadian Killed In Iraq Fighting For ISIS! Is He Farah Mohamed Shirdon of Calgary

Canadians Seeking Benefits Face Long Wait as Social Security Tribunal Struggle With Massive Backlog

OTTAWA - Ailing, disabled and unemployed Canadians seeking benefits face increasingly long waits to have their appeals heard, even as full-time positions on the government's woefully backlogged Social Security Tribunal remain unfilled.

Canadians Seeking Benefits Face Long Wait as Social Security Tribunal Struggle With Massive Backlog

Canadian Soldier Grilled By Defence At Quebec Sex-Assault Court Martial

QUEBEC - A Canadian soldier has been accused of using a female subordinate as an "open bar" for his sexual gratification.

Canadian Soldier Grilled By Defence At Quebec Sex-Assault Court Martial

Speed up land claims disputes in the courts, aboriginal leader tells legal group

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The leader of an organization representing Labrador Inuit is challenging the legal community to speed up the process in which aboriginal land claims wind through the courts so that generations aren't left waiting for answers.

Speed up land claims disputes in the courts, aboriginal leader tells legal group

Canada Commits Cargo Planes To Ship Arms For Kurdish Fighters In Iraq

OTTAWA - Two of Canada's military cargo planes will soon be ferrying weapons to Kurdish forces in northern Iraq — and the Harper government sounds prepared to do even more to counter the "barbarous attacks" of hard-line Islamic militants.

Canada Commits Cargo Planes To Ship Arms For Kurdish Fighters In Iraq

Fourteen-year-old Cali Bruce aims for record in long-distance charity swim to P.E.I.

HALIFAX - Cali Bruce will use memories of a cousin who battled cancer to motivate her as she swims across the normally choppy waters of the Northumberland Strait on Sunday in what could be a record-breaking effort for the 14-year-old girl.