Liberals, NDP defend Speaker

Conservatives, Bloc Québécois called on Fergus to step down over alleged partisan behaviour

- ALEX BALLINGALL

The federal Conservatives are arguing a June 4 political event organized by House Speaker Greg Fergus’s Liberal riding association was advertised in an overly partisan tone that attacked their leader, Pierre Poilievre, for his “reckless policies.”

OTTAWA The Liberal government and its NDP parliamentary allies are standing by Liberal MP Greg Fergus, who faced renewed calls to resign as Speaker of the House of Commons on Tuesday over allegations of inappropriate partisan behaviour.

The Conservatives raised what they described as just the latest issue with Fergus, arguing a June 4 political event organized by his Liberal riding association was advertised in an overly partisan tone that attacked their leader, Pierre Poilievre, for his “reckless policies.”

The Bloc Québécois also objected to how the event was publicized, with the party’s House leader declaring Fergus should resign because he “doesn’t understand” how to keep out of the partisan fray.