Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins was seen online during House of Commons proceedings on Oct. 23 when he made a gesture with his middle finger. He was subsequently called on a point of order. (CPAC)

By Josh Hall

POINT OF ORDER

Alberta MP called out for using middle finger during question period

Oct 26, 2020 | 10:18 AM

Blaine Calkins, the Conservative member of parliament for Red Deer-Lacombe, was called out on a point of order in the House of Commons on Friday.

The alleged act? That Calkins delivered a middle finger as he addressed the House online during Question Period from his office in central Alberta.

“Mr. Speaker, why doesn’t the prime minister just show the West what he truly thinks of us, just like his father did?” Calkins remarked while making the crude gesture.

Prior to the finger, Calkins referenced what he calls an attack by the Liberals on Alberta and the west over the last five years, one he added has made resource extraction more difficult, and done nothing for farmers.

Liberal MP Sherry Romanado, who represents the riding of Longeuil-Charles-LeMoyne in Quebec, then asked Calkins for an apology.

Given the floor, Calkins noted that it isn’t uncommon for members to wave or make gestures with their hands.

“If there is a particular hand gesture that I have used that has been offensive to someone, then I unreservedly withdraw that gesture,” he then said.

Deputy Speaker Bruce Stanton reminded members that decorum is required whether they be physically in the House of Commons or joining proceedings online. It was then that Green Party MP Elizabeth May described Calkins’ remarks as a “non-apology,” adding that she indeed took offence.

Deputy Speaker Stanton returned to Calkins for further comment. He reiterated that he, “unreservedly withdraw[s] the gesture.”

Stanton said he would review the record and address the matter at a later date if necessary.

“It is the convention and tradition of this place that when a member withdraws or expresses regret for something they have done in the context of debate, that they do so in a categorical way,” Stanton said.