Most MPs on House committee want Speaker Greg Fergus to stay as new allegations emerge
CBC
Most MPs on the House of Commons committee looking into Speaker Greg Fergus's controversial video appearance at the Ontario Liberal convention are recommending disciplinary action that falls short of removing him from the Speaker's chair.
In a report tabled in the House of Commons Thursday morning, the committee called on Fergus to again apologize to the House and pay a fine.
The committee also recommends that the House of Commons prepare a briefing binder for future Speakers that "presents clear boundaries for impartiality and non-partisanship."
The report was not unanimous. Conservative and Bloc Québécois committee members demanded that Fergus resign, arguing that he had lost the confidence of both parties.
The 105-second video at the heart of the controversy shows the Speaker in his official office, wearing his Speaker's robes, paying tribute to John Fraser, the outgoing interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
In Canada, Speakers are supposed to significantly limit their partisan activities once they take office. A Speaker does not attend party caucus meetings, vote in the House (except in the event of a tie) or participate in debate.
Shortly after the committee report was tabled, Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer told the Commons he had evidence Fergus participated in a partisan event in November.
Scheer later distributed to the media copies of an Instagram post by Sophie Chatel, Liberal MP for Pontiac, in which she said she participated in a partisan event with Fergus and Quebec MNA André Fortin.
A translation of the Facebook post inviting people to the Nov. 16 event describes it as a "Cocktail with André Fortin" and says that "activists from our constituency" will "discuss our region, our party and your priorities."
Chantel's post from the event appear to show Chantel, Fortin and Fergus smiling at The British Pub, the venue where the event was held.
CBC News has reached out to the Speaker's office but has yet to receive a response.
Just after noon, NDP House Leader Peter Julian told the House he had evidence that Scheer participated in three partisan Conservative fundraising events while he was Speaker from 2011 to 2015.
CBC News has reached out to Scheer's office and the Conservatives for reaction, but has yet to receive a response.
Before the report was published, Scheer tabled a motion calling for a vote of non-confidence in Fergus, which may not come before the House until after the Christmas break.
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