'Words that I deeply regret': Maryam Monsef apologizes for accusations against MPs

Minister of Democratic Institutions Maryam Monsef has apologized to MPs she suggested Thursday were shirking their duties on electoral reform.

Standing in the House of Commons on Friday, Monsefsaid sorry for the behaviour heropposition critics denounced as "appalling" and"a disgrace."

"Yesterday in this House, I used words that I deeply regret," she said.

"And if you'll allow me, I'd like to sincerely apologize to the members of this House, to Canadians and to the members of the special all-party committee on electoral reform. Inno way did I intend to imply that they didn't work hard, that they didn't put in the long hours, that they didn't focus on the task at hand. Mr. Speaker, I thank them for their work."

• Minister 'disappointed' by committee
• Are Liberals serious about electoral reform?
• More details needed on reform plan

On Thursday, thespecial committee of MPs studying electoral reform recommended holding a referendum to survey Canadians on whether they want to keep the current system or adopt a system of proportional representation. The committee did not specify the exact alternative model.

Monsef apologizes

8 years ago

Duration 1:15

Minister of Democratic Institutions Maryam Monsef apologizes in question period today for her performance in question period yesterday

Liberal members on the committee disagreed that a referendum should be held.

The discord among committee members provoked a sharp rebuke from Monsef in the House.

"I have to admit I'm a little disappointed, because what we had hoped the committee would provide us with would be a specific alternative system to first past the post. Instead, they've provided us with the Gallagher Index," Monsef said, referring to an academic equation that is used to quantifyhow well electoral system results reflect the popular vote.

"They did not complete the hard work we had expected them to," she said. "On the hard choices that we asked the committee to make, Mr. Speaker, they took a pass."

Electoral reform clash in the House of Commons

8 years ago

Duration 2:31

During question period in the House of Commons Thursday. Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef accuses the Opposition of not doing its job on the electoral reform committee.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who served as a member of the electoral reform committee, accepted Monsef's apology via Twitter.

"For my part I accept@MaryamMonsef'sapology. It is hard to admit making a mistake, but all mere mortals do. Now 4 fair voting!" she tweeted.

The inability to find consensus on the committee raises questions about whether the government will deliver or retreat from its promise to have a new voting system in place for the 2019 general election.

During an event with elementary teachers in Toronto on Friday, Prime Minister JustinTrudeau said while some members found agreement around a referendum on the issue, there was no consensus on a particular model.

"That doesn't get us forward on what kind of system might actually suit the majority of Canadians, because there wasn't agreement on that," he said.

Trudeau on electoral reform

8 years ago

Duration 1:40

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explains what his government plans to do to consult Canadians about electoral reform.

Trudeau suggested that Canadians aren't necessarily as passionateor plugged in on the "intricacies of political questions" as they are about their mortgages, jobs or the environment.

To that end, thegovernment is sending out notices to every household beginning this weekend to ask Canadians what they wantachieved throughelectoral reform.

The goal is to gain a better understanding of how Canadians want their values reflected in Parliament and in legislation, he said.

"Those are the questions that are top of my mind as we move forward on figuring out how we're going to move forward on electoral reform," he said. "It's a challenging issue, but it's one that I am very, very much taking seriously."