BURSTClaire Rattée, the Skeena MLA and former Kitimat councillor, was ordered out of the B.C. legislature May 19 after repeatedly interrupting Premier David Eby during a heated exchange over LNG Canada and Conservative support for the project and other major developments in Northwest B.C.
The incident unfolded during question period as MLAs returned from a week-long spring recess. Tensions escalated after Conservative MLA Bruce Banman launched an attack on Eby, setting off exchanges and heckling across the chamber.
As the confrontation intensified, Eby defended his government’s economic record, citing billions of dollars in major-project investment before pointing to government support for LNG Canada Phase 2 and questioning where opposition members had been when the announcement was made.
“There have been five major new mines or mine expansions that have reached final investment decision to be permitted, worth $4 billion. We have doubled the number of major projects in this province, worth $88 billion,” Eby said.
Rattée repeatedly shouted that Eby was misleading the House by claiming Conservatives did not support LNG Canada. Despite multiple warnings from Speaker Raj Chouhan, including what was described as a final warning, she continued interrupting proceedings.
“Kick me out if you want to,” Rattée could be heard saying before Chouhan directed her to leave.
“No argument with the chair. The member is asked to leave that chamber now. Please,” the Speaker said.
Rattée continued pointing and shouting toward Eby as she left the chamber while the premier resumed speaking.
“Listen to how unhappy they are about this news,” Eby said during the exchange.
Later in the day, Rattée returned to apologize for disregarding the Speaker’s authority during question period. Chouhan accepted the apology before allowing her to proceed with a point of order challenging Eby’s remarks.
Rattée argued Eby’s comments went beyond political debate and raised a broader issue about parliamentary procedure. She said members are expected not to deliberately mislead the House because every vote, debate and committee proceeding depends on members speaking truthfully, arguing the principle underpins the legislature’s rules.
She said Eby had misrepresented Conservative support for LNG Canada and pointed to her own involvement with the project.
“I represent the riding of Skeena. LNG Canada is built in my riding,” she said. “I spent four years on city council, where I devoted most of my time to ensuring that Phase 1 reached final investment decision.”
Rattée also disputed Eby’s comments about where opposition members had been during recent project announcements.
“If the Premier wants to know where members of this side of the House were when that announcement was being made, the Leader of the Opposition and I were touring LNG Canada,” she said. “It is, I believe, the third or fourth tour in the last year that I have been on personally.”