OTTAWA, ONT.: The actions of the Conservative Party party during the reading of the federal budget in the House of Commons on March 19 has left one Liberal MP “embarrassed.”
In speaking with The Laker, Samson the MP for Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook, was asked for his reaction to the drowning out of Finance Minister Bill Morneau as he read the budget in Ottawa. Members of the Conservatives were heard chanting “Let her speak” referring to Jody Wilson-Raybould having been muted from speaking further at the Justice Committee, and banging on their desks loudly.
Samson was on a short break from being in Parliament where a marathon of voting continued into almost the 40th hour on Thursday afternoon March 21. Samson said he had but a couple hours sleep since the voting began as a result of the Andrew Scheer-led Conservative Party.
“I’m embarrassed at what they did,” said Samson. “I didn’t feel very good.”
He said when he was growing up, his dad would have the Budget on the TV and he would join him in watching it. The other MPs in what he recollected were respectful as the Finance Minister of the time would speak.
“I remember us watching every year the budget being shared with Canadians on TV,” he said. “It’s a very special moment for many in their homes, business community or wherever they’re at.
“This is a precious moment where you see the vision, the investments.”
That was anything but the case on March 19 as Morneau spoke, he said.
“It was not respecting, in my opinion, Canadians and the protocol of the House,” Samson said of the other MPs yelling and speaking so it made it hard to hear Morneau.”I was disappointed to say the least.”
