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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: ’I expect better of myself’

For the record: Read Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s apology in the House on Thursday morning
By Maclean's
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau answers questions from opposition MPs as he addresses the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 19, 2016. Trudeau apologized for his conduct following an incident in the House Wednesday when he pulled Conservative whip Gord Brown through a clutch of New Democrat MPs to hurry up a vote related to doctor-assisted dying. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 19, 2016. (Adrian Wyld, CP)

On Thursday morning in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rose to apologize to MPs, the Speaker and also Ruth Ellen Brosseau. Here are his prepared remarks:

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to apologize for two incidents that took place yesterday in the House.

First, I apologize for crossing the floor in an attempt to have the Member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes take his seat.

That intervention was not appropriate.

It was not my role, and it should not have happened.

In particular, I should not have made physical contact with the Member, and I apologize to the Member – and to all parliamentarians – for my inappropriate conduct.

Deuxièmement, je tiens à présenter des excuses à la députée de Berthier—Maskinongé.
 
Dans mon empressement, je n’ai pas fait attention aux gens autour de moi et j’ai accidentellement bousculé la députée de Berthier-Maskinongé et c’est quelque chose que je regrette profondément. Je m’excuse sincèrement pour les gestes que j’ai posés hier.
 
J’aimerais présenter des excuses à tous mes collègues de la Chambre et à vous, Monsieur le Président, pour avoir manqué à mon devoir de me comporter de façon exemplaire.
 
Les députés s’attendent à un meilleur comportement de la part de n’importe qui dans cette chambre et avec raison.

Je m’attends à mieux de moi-même.

I would like to apologize directly to the Member for Berthier—Maskinongé.

In my haste, I did not pay attention to my surroundings.  As a result, I made physical contact with the Member for Berthier—Maskinongé, something I regret profoundly and for which I apologize unreservedly.

I apologize to my colleagues, to the House as a whole, and to you, Mr. Speaker, for failing to live up to a higher standard of behaviour.

Members rightfully expect better behaviour from anyone in this House.

I expect better of myself.

Par conséquent, je pense qu’il est entièrement approprié que l’incident, qui a eu lieu ici hier, soit envoyé au Comité permanent de la procédure et des affaires de la Chambre pour révision.
 
Je suis pleinement préparé à accepter la décision du Comité et à respecter la volonté de cette Chambre.

Monsieur le Président, la façon dont les députés se comportent dans cette Chambre est très importante.
 
C’est important parce que nous sommes ici pour servir les Canadiens, et les préoccupations des Canadiens méritent d’être entendues pleinement et avec respect, de façon claire et précise.

Mr. Speaker, the way that Members behave in this House is important.

It’s important because we are here to serve Canadians, and Canadians deserve to have their concerns expressed fully and fairly, in a direct and dignified manner.

I regret that my behaviour yesterday failed to meet this standard.

I also believe that the work that we do here is important, and I know that Canadians are looking to us for leadership on a range of serious issues before this House.

Thank you for your time and consideration.