It was a straightforward question that got a less than straightforward answer.
Tory MP and Immigration Critic Michelle Rempel asked Immigration Minister John McCallum how the federal government’s pledge to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the month will affect other immigration and refugee claims already in the system.
“We’re into sunny ways. I would suggest my colleague look a little more cheerful,” McCallum responded.
He went on to answer her question.
“I can assure her that my department has assured me that no people have been displaced by other refugees,” McCallum added. “There will be no impact on their entry.”
READ MORE: Reality Check: Can Canada bring in 10,000 refugees by end of year?
McCallum’s exhortation that Rempel “look a little more cheerful” raised ire and eyebrows. Speaker Geoff Regan reminded members to “not to be provocative in this place, to show respect for each other on all sides.”
McCallum reportedly apologized for the comment after Rempel demanded he do so, according to a Huffington Post report.
But she claims Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laughed at her and refused to apologize.
There was a vocal response on twitter after Rempel posted about the exchange.
Fellow Tory MPs Candice Bergen and Tony Clement jumped to their colleague’s defence.
“Because it’s 2015” lasted a month: in Question Period, Min of Immigration comments on @MichelleRempel’s appearance, @JustinTrudeau laughs,” Clement responded — a pointed reference to Trudeau’s own statement regarding why he’d made half his cabinet women.
READ MORE: ‘Because it’s 2015’: Trudeau’s gender-equal cabinet makes headlines around world, social media
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