The News
Friday 29 of March 2024

Opposition Accuses Canada PM Trudeau of Elbowing Lawmaker


Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (seated) in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada,photo: Reuters/Chris Wattie
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (seated) in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada,photo: Reuters/Chris Wattie
Prime minister apologizes "unreservedly" for making contact with female member of Parliament

TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is apologizing “unreservedly” for making physical contact with a female opposition member of Parliament who says Trudeau elbowed her in the chest.

Opposition lawmaker Ruth Ellen Brosseau said she was elbowed in the chest and had to leave the House of Commons chamber Wednesday after feeling overwhelmed.

Trudeau, a former bar bouncer, said Wednesday he completely apologizes and it wasn’t his intention to hurt anyone as he attempted to escort a Liberal colleague though a throng of opposition lawmakers in Parliament.

Trudeau says he thought the Liberal lawmaker was being impeded as he walked up the aisle of the chamber and wanted to help him.

Tempers have been running high as the government pushes through a motion to limit debate on its controversial assisted-dying legislation.

ROB GILLIES