” It’s my fault. It’s a hard-learned lesson, a mistake that will not be repeated.” Called to appear before a parliamentary committee Monday morning, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Greg Fergus, apologized repeatedly for his participation in a partisan event.
The president has been called to testify before the Procedure and House Affairs Committee, which is considering whether disciplinary action should be taken against him.
Two weeks ago, Mr. Fergus appeared in a pre-recorded video message paying tribute to John Fraser, the outgoing interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, a provincial party. He was dressed in his black silk toga, the attire associated with his role in Federal Parliament.
Judging this appearance as a breach of its duty of impartiality, the Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois quickly demanded his resignation. The New Democratic Party (NDP) also denounced that it was “a flagrant lack of judgment”.
“Like anyone who starts a new jobI’m learning on the job,” Mr. Fergus told the committee Monday morning.
He assured that the video for his long-time friend had to be broadcast privately. “But whether it was broadcast privately or publicly, I should never have recorded it. I apologize unreservedly,” he admitted.
Mr. Fergus said he was determined to preside over the House of Commons “fairly and in a spirit of collaboration” for the remainder of his term. He further assured that a protocol is being put in place to ensure that he obtains advice from the Clerk of the House and the administration on any future communications from his office.
Acting House Clerk Eric Janse said he was not consulted by Mr. Fergus or his team before he agreed to participate in the video. Testifying before the committee Monday morning, Mr. Janse said that if he had been, he would not have endorsed participation.
“It’s important to be neutral and non-partisan. Maybe that went a little too far in the partisan sphere,” Mr. Janse underlined.
A motion to refer Mr. Fergus to the committee — which must determine potential disciplinary measures — was passed unanimously last week. The motion noted that Mr. Fergus’ public participation “constitutes a breach of the tradition and expectation of impartiality required for this high office, constituting a serious error of judgment which undermines the confidence required to discharge his duties and responsibilities”.
The committee must make its recommendations no later than Thursday, December 14.