The parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire (QS), Alexandre Leduc, had to apologize on Wednesday after insulting a CAQ opponent who wanted to prevent him from contesting a decision by the presidency of the National Assembly relating to unparliamentary remarks .
Mr. Leduc put the lid on this episode by quickly expressing his regrets on social networks following his outbursts at the Salon bleu.
“When leaving the Blue Room today I made unacceptable comments towards Simon Jolin-Barrette,” he declared on X. My words went beyond my thoughts and I sincerely apologize for them. »
A few moments earlier, Mr. Jolin-Barrette had appeared before journalists to report the clash, which occurred while QS expressed its disagreement with the addition, last week, of the expression “exploit women” to the list of unparliamentary remarks.
“Mr. Leduc, when he left his seat as a deputy, said to me: “Fuck you Simon, fuck you Simon,” he said. Between parliamentarians, we owe each other respect. We are among work colleagues, in a work environment. Sometimes we disagree on ideas, but we respect each other among parliamentarians. »
Mr. Jolin-Barrette demanded an apology from his counterpart from Québec solidaire, to whom he suggested asking questions about his abilities to carry out his duties.
“I find this attitude unacceptable, which is not respectful, which is also marked by a way of doing things where, if we do not agree with the people at Québec solidaire, we insult them,” said he lamented.
In the minutes that followed, Mr. Leduc complied by assuring Mr. Jolin-Barrette of his consideration. He admitted that he should not have reacted so emotionally, at the end of an exchange they had after question period.
“He is a colleague that I appreciate and I will manage my emotions better in the future. My apologies also to the president,” declared Mr. Leduc.
When leaving the blue room today I made unacceptable comments towards @SJB_CAQ. My words went beyond my thoughts and I sincerely apologize. He is a colleague that I appreciate and I will manage my emotions better in the future. My apologies also to the president.
— Alexandre Leduc (@LeducAlexandre) December 6, 2023
“Exploiting women”
After question period, Mr. Leduc wanted to return to a decision by the President of the National Assembly, Nathalie Roy, to proscribe the terms “exploit women” recently used by QS MP Christine Labrie.
“While we do not contest the decision, we want to have a small moment to express our disagreement,” he began.
Mr. Jolin-Barrette, however, argued that this intervention was inadmissible since it is a decision of the presidency which, under the regulations, is indisputable.
After speaking, Mr. Leduc left the Chamber and Mr. Jolin-Barrette then complained about his comments.
“In French, it means “Fuck you, Simon”. I do not accept, among parliamentarians, on the floor of the National Assembly, when I exercise my functions as leader of the government, to be insulted by Québec solidaire,” he said.
Present at the Salon bleu, the Liberal deputy parliamentary leader, Michelle Setlakwe, denounced Mr. Leduc’s comments.
“I did not hear it personally, but it is clear, from the entire room here, that the comments were very clear, they are unacceptable, unacceptable, unworthy,” she said. They should never be spoken between colleagues, that’s what we teach our children, and especially not within the confines of the Salon bleu. »
Before Mr. Leduc left the Blue Room, vice-president Chantal Soucy explained to him that the expression “exploit women” had been banned due to the context in which Mr.me Labrie used it.
“In the context in which you made it, these were unparliamentary comments,” she clarified. So, that does not mean that the expression “exploiting women” will be banned in all parliamentary work. »