Conservative MP Larry Brock is apologizing for comments he made in the House of Commons on Thursday which drew criticism from the Liberals over MPs’ right to speak in French during debates.
During question period, Brock pressed the Liberals on the the ArriveCan scandal. Brock posed his question in English.
Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos responded in French. He said he was replying in French “because it’s in French I’m going to say something that my colleague has already heard repeatedly in English.”
“The question is in English but I digress,” Brock said, prompting an uproar from the Liberal bench.
“It’s a very important fact, a basic fact here, that questions can be asked in English or in French and questions can be answered in English or in French,” Speaker Greg Fergus interjected, to applause from the Liberals.
Duclos didn’t answer Brock’s next question and instead used his time to criticize the Conservative MP.
“What we just heard is an insult to all Francophone MPs in this House, including Conservative MPs,” Duclos said in French. He later called on Brock to apologize.
Rising on a point of order after question period, Brock said he wasn’t able to hear Duclos’s response “because of commotion in the house.”
“My volume wasn’t working correctly on my headpiece. That’s why I made the reference,” Brock said.
“Clearly I recognize that every member in this House is entitled to respond and ask questions in both official languages.”
Speaking to CBC News outside the House, Duclos said Brock’s excuse was “very poor.”
“I regret to say it’s contempt for the fundamental choice that we have as MPs, including Francophone MPs, to express ourselves in the language of our choosing. In my case, my choice is French. I don’t always have the words that come to me easily in English,” Duclos said.
“I think he should apologize. Maybe he said it without thinking. But it’s up to him to say.”
Later, on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Brock apologized in both languages.
“I want to apologize to Minister Duclos and all my colleagues for my comments in question period today,” Brock posted.
“Every member of Parliament has the right to speak in the official language of their choice, my comment was inappropriate and I am sorry.”
