(Ottawa) Two witnesses stormed out of a parliamentary committee meeting Wednesday after the Liberals tried to hijack a planned debate on violence against women.
Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld was given the floor to ask questions shortly after witnesses detailed graphic examples of domestic violence – but she used the time to argue that the committee should be discussing abortion rights instead.
Cait Alexander, who runs the advocacy group End Violence Everywhere, had just shared her personal story of abuse at the hands of an ex-boyfriend.
PHOTO COLE BURSTON, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Cait Alexander of the advocacy group End Violence Everywhere
Mme Alexander and attorney Megan Walker rejected Vandenbeld’s intervention, saying abortion was not on the agenda and that politicization only fuels gender-based violence.
They both stormed out of the rare summer audience amid ongoing bickering among MPs.me Alexander also accused the deputies of behaving like children.
Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri has apologised to M’s mother.me Alexander on behalf of the committee, but was told that this was not enough.