Kelowna Lake Country MP Ron Cannan is caught in the middle of a he said she said after an alleged scuffle took place Wednesday in the House of Commons.
Tempers flared after the New Democrats accused a Conservative cabinet minister of making an inappropriate gesture at NDP member Niki Ashton. New Democrat MP Dan Harris claims that International Trade Minister Ed Fast directed what is described as a “gun with his hand” while saying boom in Ashton’s direction.
All of this was caught on video and aired on several media channels.
According to media reports the dispute then spilled into the opposition aisle and Cannan was spotted entering the NDP’s section of the Chamber, behind the curtains. Something was exchanged behind the curtain then Cannan was escorted back to his side by two New Democrat MPs.
None of this claim was visible to anyone outside of the House, since strict rules prevent television cameras or photographers from shooting members who have not been called by the Speaker.
Cannan has spoken with KelownaNow.com and says the incident is being incorrectly reported.
“For the record, I did speak to NDP House Leader Peter Julian after Question Period and told him that MP Harris should apologize to the Honourable Minister or be prepared to repeat his allegation outside. Members of Parliament, as MP Harris would know, are protected by parliamentary privilege inside the House of Commons, meaning they have parliamentary immunity. If anything else is being inferred it is completely incorrect,” said Cannan.
Ashton says she didn’t see Fast do anything but was “shocked” at what she called a “threat” to her security.
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