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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."

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