File image of Jagmeet Singh/ The Canadian Press
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called a Bloc Quebecois MP racist today after a New Democrat motion on RCMP discrimination failed to receive unanimous consent from the House of Commons.
Singh refused to apologize for the words directed at Bloc member Alain Therrien.
That prompted the Speaker to order Singh to leave the House for the rest of the day.
Singh had asked the Commons to recognize there is systemic racism in the RCMP and to call on the government to review the force's budget, ensure the Mounties are truly accountable and do a full review of the RCMP's use of force.
There was at least one objection and that blocked the move, though it was unclear who said no.
Amid finger-pointing, Singh acknowledged he called Therrien a racist, adding "I believe that's so."