The Speaker of the House of Commons once again “deeply apologized” for making a video broadcast during a partisan event, after a Commons committee asked him to show more contrition, without demand his resignation.
Greg Fergus says he made a “serious mistake” by recording a video to pay tribute to the outgoing interim leader of the Ontario Liberals. The Speaker of the House then wore the official attire of his office and the Speaker’s office was recognizable in the background in the video, broadcast during the recent leadership convention of the Ontario Liberal Party.
The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs concluded in a report released Thursday that there should be clearer guidelines for future presidents “with respect to impartiality and non-partisanship.”
Bloc and Conservative MPs on the committee called for Mr. Fergus to resign, but the Liberals and New Democrats, who are in the majority, instead supported a call for him to apologize again and repay “an adequate amount.” » for the parliamentary resources used to shoot the video.
Speaking in the House on Friday morning, Mr. Fergus told his fellow MPs that his office was putting in place a “more rigorous communications protocol”.
He assured parliamentarians that such a situation would not happen again and asked them to give him “a second chance”.
“To the members who oppose this second chance, I say that I can understand your point of view,” he said. And I will work tirelessly to regain your trust.
“I know this issue has been a source of distraction at a time of year when MPs’ agendas are busy and our legislative agenda is busy […] I take full responsibility for my actions. I am committed to implementing all the measures recommended in the committee’s report. »
To watch on video