Michael Ma speaks, to jeers from across the aisle
The governing party is allotted time each question period to allow one of their backbenchers to ask a question. Usually this is just a softball question that allows the government to tout a priority policy or recap a recent announcement.
Today’s Liberal question came from a new face on the government side of the House: former Conservative Michael Ma who crossed the aisle just before the holidays.
Conservatives have criticized Ma for abandoning his principles by switching parties, but Ma used his time in question period to refute those accusations.
“While I now sit on a different side of the House, my priorities remain the same: standing up for my constituents,” Ma said.
Ma then asked how the government is “strengthening public safety,” saying it is a priority for his community.
Conservatives jeered as Ma asked his question and the House mics caught a bit of crosstalk as he wrapped up. Someone from the Liberal side could be heard calling the Conservatives “sore losers,” while a Conservative quipped back, “you can have him.”