Finance Minister Leitao tells opposition to ‘shut up’ in question period

QUEBEC CITY – The finance minister lost his cool Wednesday in question period, making an outburst in English.

“I’m confident in my field,” yelled Carlos Leitao in French, interrupted himself to shout at the opposition across the aisle.

 “Shut up,” he added in English.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter:  "Shut up," he added in English.

Parti Québécois information resources critic Guy Leclair was questioning Leitao on whether the government paid over one billion dollars for an IT contract with the company, SAGIR.

The minister said during the budget credits several weeks ago, the cost of the project would only be $570 million.

Leclair said news articles revealed the minister’s estimate was off by $710 million.

“Why did you say in the credits, the final price would be $570 million when the truth is it will be $1.2 billion?” Leclair asked.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Why did you say in the credits, the final price would be $570 million when the truth is it will be $1.2 billion?" Leclair asked.

The minister denied the claims and appeared to be rattled by opposition heckling.