Bloc leader demands Singh apologize for racism accusations

Yves-Francois Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Quebecois has asked NDP leader Jagmeet Singh to apologize for accusing MP Alain Therrien of being racist.

“I hope that the leader of the NDP will apologize sincerely and if not, I hope the president of the House of Commons will be quite severe because if the only penalty is not being allowed into the room for one day and not being to speak for one day, everybody will feel entitled to do the same and trade insults and accusations on the floor,” said Blanchet during an Ottawa press conference.

The accusation saw Singh leveled at Bloc Quebecois MP Alain Therrien, calling him a "racist" be expelled from the House of Commons. Singh made the comment following the Bloc Quebecois House Leader's decision to block an NDP motion to call out systemic racism in the RCMP.

Singh has since defended his comments and says he's prepared to face the consequences. “I believe in what I said,” said Singh. He also said that he'd be willing to speak with Therrien in private although they have to do so.

“I want to see some systemic change,” said Singh. “I don’t really care to appease one person's feelings. I want to bring in changes to the police so that I don't see another Indigenous person be brutally beaten. I want to bring in changes to the federal policing so that people who are, need a wellness check, aren't then killed afterwards. I want to see that.”

Singh was looking for the unanimous consent from the House of Commons to pass a motion the examine the existence of systemic racism in police as well as a review of the federal budget for police. The motion would also review RCMP use force and increase money to to mental health and addition programs.

Despite one member of the Bloc Quebecois caucus saying "No" to the motion, all the other parties appeared to be in support of it.