Poilievre Prohibited from Addressing House on Tuesday Unless He Retracts Comment About Joly/
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was barred from speaking in the House of Commons today, as his ongoing dispute with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly escalated into a second day.
House Speaker Greg Fergus imposed the penalty on Poilievre after the opposition leader refused to retract a remark made during Monday’s question period, where he accused Joly of pandering to supporters of the terrorist group Hamas. Poilievre’s comment followed his call for the Liberal government to condemn what he described as antisemitic and “genocidal chants” from certain protestors in Canadian streets.
Joly responded by naming the seven Canadians who were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and reiterated the government’s support for the Jewish community. However, Poilievre criticized her for not explicitly condemning antisemitism in Canada, accusing her of prioritizing political ambitions over the issue. He suggested that her reluctance was driven by a desire to gain favor within the Liberal Party for a potential leadership bid.
“She continues to pander to Hamas supporters and the Liberal party as part of her leadership campaign rather than doing her job,” Poilievre stated.
In response, Joly accused Poilievre of “gaslighting” and playing politics on a day meant to honor victims of the October 7 attack. “Clearly, the guy’s unfit to become a prime minister because Canadians deserve way better,” she said, calling on him to apologize.
Despite the contentious exchange, all MPs, including Liberals, backed a Conservative motion on Monday condemning Hamas and antisemitism in Canada.
Following the exchange, Speaker Fergus requested Poilievre withdraw his remark about Joly. He pointed out that another MP, Yvan Baker, had faced a similar request after making a comparable remark about Poilievre and had been barred from speaking in the House since March for refusing to comply.
Initially, Fergus declined to block Poilievre from speaking, but on Tuesday reversed his decision and issued a one-day ban, citing Poilievre’s repeated disregard for the Speaker’s instructions. This marked the third warning Poilievre has received regarding unparliamentary remarks during question periods. Fergus clarified that Poilievre could not speak unless he retracted his statement.
Fergus also announced that Baker’s speaking ban would end on Wednesday.
Poilievre did not attend question period on Tuesday and has yet to withdraw his remark. Instead, he held a press conference outside the House of Commons, accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals of fostering a rise in antisemitism in Canada over the past year. Poilievre argued that antisemitism in Canada had been increasing even before the October 7 attacks and criticized the government’s handling of the situation.
Joly, speaking shortly after Poilievre, labeled him as hypocritical and unfit to lead the country.
Sarah Fischer, the Conservative Party’s director of communications, expressed outrage on X (formerly Twitter), calling the punishment “a blatant affront to democracy” and accusing the Liberals of silencing their opponents.
