Is ‘Wacko’ Unparliamentary Language? Here’s a Look at House of Commons Rules

Newly elected Speaker of the House of Commons Greg Fergus is escorted into the House of Commons by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 3, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

What constitutes unparliamentary language may be on the minds of Canadians this week after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was booted out of the House of Commons on April 30 for his choice of words.

Mr. Poilievre’s ousting came after he called Justin Trudeau a “wacko prime minister” during question period for supporting B.C.’s previous drug decriminalization policy.

When House Speaker Greg Fergus asked him to withdraw his “unparliamentary language,” Mr. Poilievre said he would “simply withdraw and replace” the word “wacko” with “extremist” or “radical.”

Not satisfied with the amended wording, Speaker Fergus ordered Mr. Poilievre to leave the House of Commons.

But, as former NDP Leader turned political analyst Tom Mulcair pointed out, “wacko” seems no worse than the words uttered by the prime minister that same day to describe Mr. Poilievre.

When Mr. Poilievre pushed the prime minister to comment on drug decriminalization, Mr. Trudeau accused the Tory leader of consorting with extremist crowds, saying Mr. Poilievre shows “us exactly what shameful spineless leadership looks like.”

Mr. Mulcair said on “a scale of one to 10 of bad words, ‘wacko’ comes in at about two-and-a-half, somewhere close to ’spineless.'”

Both terms seem pretty tame compared to other phrases that have been uttered in the House of Commons over the years. So, exactly which words are considered unparliamentary?

The Rules

According to House of Commons rules, “language deemed unparliamentary one day may not necessarily be deemed unparliamentary on another day” depending on the “tone, manner and intention of the member speaking.”

The onus of deciding what is and what is not parliamentary is largely left up to the Speaker’s discretion, although the rules do say “respect for the integrity of all members” is essential.

“Offensive, provocative or threatening language in the House is strictly forbidden,” the rules read. “Personal attacks, insults and obscenities are not in order.”

Although there is no official, legal document containing the words and phrases for politicians to avoid in the House, a list for cabinet members to adhere to does exist in the Library of Parliament. Last updated in 1989, the list can be found in the sixth edition of Beauchesne’s Rules & Forms of the House of Commons of Canada.

The list does not include the word “wacko,” but it does forbid words like “idiot,” and “stupid,” as well as several different phrases that accuse an MP of lying. While “spineless” is not listed, the phrase “does not have a spine” is considered a no-no.

The use of unparliamentary language in the House of Commons dates back to the 1870s with phrases like “political bully” and “a bag of wind” making the list of unparliamentary terms.

The list was steadily added to over the years to include terms such as “a dim-witted saboteur” in 1956 and “Canadian Mussolini” in 1964. In all, 106 words and phrases are listed.

Infamous Incidents

Perhaps one of the most infamous incidents of unparliamentary speech occurred in 1971 when then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was accused of telling the opposition off with an expletive.

When questioned by reporters, he replied: “What is the nature of your thoughts, gentlemen, when you say, ‘Fuddle duddle,’ or something like that?”

His son, and current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been accused of using similar language multiple times over his political career.

The prime minister was criticized for using an “unparliamentary term” in May of 2022 after being asked a question by Tory MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

In an interview with reporters afterward, then Conservative House leader John Brassard said Mr. Trudeau used a six-letter reference followed by a curse word.

“I can tell you what I heard and what my colleagues heard and it wasn’t fuddle duddle,” Mr. Brassard said. “I don’t think he liked the line of questioning today and that’s why he reacted.”

When Mr. Trudeau was asked by reporters about the use of profanity upon leaving the House, he semi-quoted his father’s infamous line.

“What is the nature of your thoughts, gentlemen, when you say you move your lips in a particular way?” Mr. Trudeau said.

Mr. Trudeau was also forced to apologize in 2011 after calling then-Environment Minister Peter Kent a profane name in the House of Commons.

The Trudeaus are not the only prime ministers to be accused of cussing in the House of Commons.

Four Liberal MPs said they heard former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney using two curse words to describe a fellow MP in December 1991, although Mr. Mulroney denied it.

NDP MP Jim Fulton called Mr. Mulroney “lying scum” during question period in October of 1987 while NDP Leader Ed Broadbent accused the prime minister of lying.

While Mr. Broadbent recanted, Mr. Fulton refused to withdraw his remark for several weeks. He finally relented in November and was allowed back into the House.

More recently, Justice Minister and Attorney General Arif Virani found himself under the microscope after losing his cool when being questioned by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre about the rise in auto theft.

Mr. Virani was forced to apologize under threat of censure in February after calling Mr. Poilievre  an “[expletive] tool.”

Later that same month Mr. Poilievre was asked by the Speaker to withdraw his W.T.F. comment relating to the ArriveCan scandal. Mr. Poilievre maintained the initials stood for “where’s the funds,” but Speaker Fegus said the comment was “dangerously close” to crossing the line.

Mr. Poilievre switched the initials for “where’s the funds” to comply with House rules.

Observers have been stressing the need to maintain decorum in the House of Commons.

Anthony Rota, former House of Commons Speaker, said in 2022 that decorum has improved, giving credit to whips and House leaders.

Current Speaker Fergus, who was elected to the position on Oct. 3, 2023, said in a lengthy speech ahead of question period on Oct. 18, that he hoped MPs would reach a higher standard, saying “We can choose to conduct ourselves differently.”