This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
On June 17, 2020, a heated exchange erupted in the Canadian Parliament between New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Quebecois member Alain Therrien.
Singh, the first member of a minority to lead a federal political party in Canada, accused Therrien of being racist after he refused to sign onto an NDP motion to recognize systemic racism in the federal police force.
"It is disappointing that the Bloc Quebecois continues to refuse to accept that systemic discrimination, systemic racism exists within our country, in every part of our country and in all our institutions," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during his daily press conference.
Therrien's refusal to sign the motion sparked a heated exchange between Singh and Therrien, which led to Singh being temporarily removed from the chamber.
Bloc Quebecois party head Yves-Marie Blanchet defended Therrien and demanded sanctions against Singh, stating, "I hope that the leader of the NDP will apologize sincerely, and if not, I hope the president of the House of Commons will be quite severe."
The feud comes as Canadians join worldwide protests against systemic racism and police violence following the police killing of black American man George Floyd last month.
