Quotes about the prime minister and his apology over his behaviour in the House

OTTAWA – Some of what was said Thursday as Parliament debated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s controversial behaviour the night before in the House of Commons:

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“No amount of escalation or mood in this House justifies my behaviour last night. I made a mistake. I regret it. I am looking to make amends.” — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

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“I ask for Canadians’ understanding and forgiveness.” — Trudeau

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“The behaviour I engaged in last night is not becoming of any member of this House and I regret it deeply. I made a mistake and I am apologizing and asking for members to understand how contrite and how regretful I am with my behaviour.” — Trudeau

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“The vote just wasn’t moving along fast enough for the prime minister. Why should he be expected to wait patiently in his seat like the rest of us for the vote to begin?” — Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose

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“I watched him … when he strode across the aisle. I watched him as he grabbed the official Opposition whip, my good friend, by the arm. I also watched him as he yelled something so out of line that I will not repeat it in the House.” — Ambrose

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“Everything he did from the moment he rose from his seat was unnecessary and it was unsettling. It flies in the face of any of the promises that the prime minister made about decorum in the House. It was nothing less than an affront to every member of this House.” — Ambrose

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“Because early members of the British Parliament often brought their swords to Parliament, we’re told that government and opposition benches were spaced two sword distances and one inch apart…. Mr. Speaker, two swords and an inch clearly was not an adequate space last evening.” — Conservative MP Peter Kent

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“Frankly, I was embarrassed and ashamed to have been witness to the conduct of our prime minister yesterday. His behaviour was appalling, unacceptable, and shocking.” — Conservative MP Todd Doherty

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“Today, I heard our prime minister deliver sincere apologies for what transpired yesterday and that was the right course of action. To the members who have been hurt by the incident, I want to empathize and express my sincere concern for them. I trust that any comments that I or that others make today would never in any way diminish the feelings of hurt that they have expressed.” — Health Minister Jane Philpott

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“I think we have to keep perspective in the House. We are opponents, we are not enemies, and last night, that aggression that we saw, was totally unacceptable. — Conservative MP Colin Carrie

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“This was not a mistake or an accident. He has to deal with his anger issues and his temper and entitlement or whatever that was.” — Conservative MP Candice Bergen.

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“It was like an angry spoiled adolescent who didn’t get his way.” — Conservative MP Bev Shipley.

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