Liberal MP says she regrets ‘distress’ caused to witnesses who left meeting in tears

OTTAWA — Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld made no apology today after sparking a riot in which two witnesses stormed a parliamentary committee hearing.

Vandenbeld only says that she deeply regrets the “suffering that this meeting on Wednesday caused to the witnesses”.

The MP had led the rare summer meeting of the Commons Status of Women Committee away from the planned topic of domestic abuse, accusing the Conservatives of rushing the agenda.

Vandenbeld accused the Conservative Party of politicising the issue, but then immediately moved on to shifting the discussion to abortion rights.

This happened shortly after the committee had heard detailed testimony about personal experiences of intimate partner violence.

Attorneys Cait Alexander and Megan Walker left the meeting visibly frustrated as the meeting descended into procedural chaos and Alexander accused Vandenbeld of “abuse.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 1, 2024.

The Canadian Press