Speaker gives Tory MP the boot from House for heckling

House of Commons Speaker Geoff Regangave the boot to Conservative MP Blake Richards for excessive heckling today, the first such expulsion in 15 years.

During a raucous daily question period that saw Finance Minister Bill Morneauface more questions about his ethics and financial dealings,Reganordered the Sgt.-at-arms to remove Richards from the chamber.

He first offered Richards a choice tocome to order, to step outside, or to be "helped outside."

• Heckling in the House
• Naming and shaming hecklers

"Which would he prefer?" he asked.

After a short pause, Regancalled on the sergeant-at-arms to remove the MP, specifically naming him as "Mr. Richards."

"Naming" is the term for a disciplinary measure invoked against an MPwho persistently disregards the authority of the chair, and is considered a "coercive measure of last resort," according to the House of Commons Procedure and Practice book.

The Speaker has the authority to address the member by name rather than by constituency or title, as is the usual practice, and can order their removalfrom the chamber for the remainder of the sitting day.

It is an authority that is not commonly exercised. Since 1913 there have beenonly 43 incidents before today, with MPskicked out for refusing to retract allegations of lying, cover-ups or misleading the House.

Accusations of lying

The last time it happened was in 2002, when BlocQubcoisMPYvanLoubierwas ejected for refusing to withdraw the word "liar."

Some other MPs who have been expelled include:

• Reform Party MP Chuck Strahlin 1997 for refusing to withdraw comments that a minister was involved in a cover-up.
• NDP MP Svend Robinson in 1997 for refusing to withdraw the word "treasonous." It was the third time he was kicked out of the House; in 1983he was expelled for refusing to withdraw "imputations of partiality on the part of the Chair" and in 1982 for refusing to withdraw allegations the minister of justice had lied to the country.
• Liberal MP JohnNunziatain 1985 for refusing to remove an exhibit during routine proceedings.
• NDPLeader Ed Broadbent was also removed three times. In 1983, in 1984 and again in 1986, he was expelled for refusing to withdraw allegations the prime minister had deliberately misled the House.

MPs arenot required to apologize or retract theremarkin order to resume their seat on the day after removal from the House.