By Western Standard

Published:December 3, 2021

-Western Standard

 

A Lethbridge Conservative MP is in hot water after calling Governor General General Mary Simon’s Throne Speech delivery as horrendous, lackluster and monotone.

Blacklock’s Reporter says other MPs protested the critique as a breach of rules akin to insulting the Queen.

“The document was read in what I would call a monotone manner by the governor general,” said MP Rachael Thomas (Lethbridge, Alta.).

“Perhaps she simply read it in that tone in order to match the lackluster content.”

Simon read the speech November 23 to open the 44th Parliament. It was her first appearance in Parliament since her July 6 appointment.

Now the Green Party and Liberal MPs are demanding Thomas apologize for insulting the monarchy, something she is refusing to do.

“My words were not an attack on the sovereign,” said Thomas, who changed her last name from Harder after getting married.

“They were an attack on the tone the speech was delivered in.”

“I found the words offensive,” said Green MP Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.).

“I think it is particularly the case when we have our first indigenous governor general.”

“Offensive,” agreed Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen (Kingston and the Islands, Ont.).

“She needs to apologize for that.”

“Thousands of Canadians would disagree and be offended,” said Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North.).

“We ask her to withdraw those remarks without any qualifications whatsoever. Apologize.”

Under Standing Orders Of The House Of Commons, Rule 18 states: “No member shall speak disrespectfully of the sovereign nor of any of the royal family nor of the governor general or the person administering the Government of Canada, nor use offensive words against either House or against any member.”