It didn’t take long for opposition MPs to condemn Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after he was accused of in the chest and got into a yelling match with NDP Leader Tom Mulcair in the House of Commons.
Here’s a sample of what Conservative and New Democrat MPs are saying on Twitter about the incident that some have labelled ‘elbowgate.’
Potential Conservative leadership contender Jason Kenney called the incident “physical bullying†and suggested that former prime minister Stephen Harper wouldn’t have gotten away with it:
So Justin Trudeau's increasingly dictatorial conduct has now turned into physical bullying of MPs. Bizarre, unforgivable, unprecedented.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney)
If Stephen Harper had ever physically bullied MPs like Justin Trudeau, there would be immediate & widespread demands for his resignation.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney)
Kenney also made a joke: “I guess this is what the Liberals get for choosing a former bar bouncer as their Leader.â€
I guess this is what the Liberals get for choosing a former bar bouncer as their Leader.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney)
And Kenney compared Liberal supporters who were defending the prime minister to Donald Trump’s supporters.
Something I'm learning tonight: a lot of Trudeau supporters are like Trump supporters. They defend the indefensible, including bullying.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney)
NDP MP Niki Ashton was close to Brosseau when the incident occurred. She called it “disgusting.â€
I have never seen anything like it. I witnessed the PM push one of my colleagues into my desk in the House of Commons.
— Niki Ashton (@nikiashton)
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel defended Brosseau:
— Michelle Rempel, MP (@MichelleRempel)
People tweeting "her arm isn't broken" or "it was just an accident" might want to rethink those particular tweets.
— Michelle Rempel, MP (@MichelleRempel)
NDP MP Randall Garrison said he was shocked, deeming it “physical bullying by the prime minister.â€
Just witnessed shocking physical bullying by the Prime Minister on the floor of the House of Commons
— Randall Garrison (@r_garrison)
Former Conservative veterans minister Erin O’Toole said the prime minister should have risen above the melee.
Quite disappointed in conduct of many in the House tonight. The Prime Minister should lead by example & not be part of a melee.
— Erin O'Toole (@ErinOTooleMP)
Former Conservative minister Peter Kent called it “bizarre†and “outrageous.â€
Bizarre..outrageous behavior by Prime Minister, manhandling MPs before
— Hon. Peter Kent (@KentThornhillMP)
MP Lisa Raitt was not in the House of Commons when the incident occurred. “What the hell is going on?†she wrote:
I'm in my riding tonight and I am just tuning into twitter. Ummm... What the hell is going on in the House of Commons?
— Lisa Raitt (@lraitt)