Struck by a question from Liberal MP Marwah Rizqy, Bernard Drainville left the Blue Room with a bang.
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“If you want to be a demagogue, do it yourself!” cursed the education minister, picking up his things before leaving the chamber.
Marwah Rizqy raised a second question on the cost of school lunchtime care during a debate at the end of Thursday afternoon’s session.
Bernard Drainville had just argued that the Secretary of Education could not replace the school service center responsible for a tariff increase in this case.
“I appreciate being made aware of issues in schools and service centers, but at some point we should remember that school service centers are responsible for their decisions and therefore it is up to the principals (…) to come and those of to explain decisions made to them,” Mr Drainville said.
To which the Liberal MP replied: “After the mega-backlash, is the minister really talking to us about accountability today?” in relation to the abandonment of the Quebec-Lévis highway tunnel project.
Visibly irritated by this remark, Bernard Drainville accused Marwah Rizqy of pursuing “petty politics” over the closed microphone. “Marwah, you’re better than that. It’s demagogic, honestly…” he let go.
At that very moment, the vice-president of the National Assembly asked the minister to give the floor to Ms. Rizqy, who recalled that the school service centers were a “creation” of the CAQ government. But Mr. Drainville was already packing his things.
“I invite him to listen to me to the end, even if there is frustration, then I understand the frustration. But personally, when I come to a debate at the end of the session, I expect someone to talk to,” the Liberal MP responded, calling on the minister to “control his feelings.”
“Demagogue!” replied Bernard Drainville and headed for the exit.
Québec solidaire spokeswoman Manon Massé witnessed the exchange. “Yelling at other MPs is just unacceptable behavior in a democracy,” she said, adding that she expects “more respect and more elevation” from a minister.