Trudeau takes tough questions from young women in House after expelling Wilson-Raybould, Philpott

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaufaced some tough questions in the House of Commons today not from opposition MPsbut from young women participating in a special event promoting political leadership.

Dozensof the 338 delegates, representing every riding in Canada, turned their backs on Trudeau as he delivered his opening remarks just hours after he expelled two women from his Liberal caucus.

Trudeau raised the matter right off the top, insisting there will always be disagreements in politics.

"There was never going to be an absolute one side or another. There are always going to be multiple voices we have to listen to," he said.

Daughters of the Vote deliver messages in HoC

5 years ago

Duration 6:09

Representatives of the Daughters of the Vote deliver messages of hope in the House of Commons.

Trudeau was grilled on a range of topics, from halting the spread of white nationalismto reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

The young women are in town for the annual Daughters of the Vote summit, anevent organized byEqual Voice Canada which works to get more womenelectedto all levels of political office across Canada.

Justin Trudeau addresses Daughters of the Vote

5 years ago

Duration 18:38

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the Daughters of the Vote in the House of Commons, and answers questions from a number of participants.

A number of participants also walked out during a speech by Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.

This year's Daughters of the Vote day lands less than 24 hours afterTrudeau expelled Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott from the Liberal caucus, saying that trust with the two former cabinet ministers has been irreparablybroken.

This political drama has been unfolding since Feb. 7, when the Globe and Mail reported that Wilson-Raybould had faced inappropriate political pressure on the SNC-Lavalincriminal prosecution decision. Wilson-Raybould and Philpott both later resigned from cabinet to protest the government's handling of the SNC-Lavalin file.

Andrew Scheer addresses Daughters of the Vote

5 years ago

Duration 7:42

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer addresses the Daughters of the Vote in the House of Commons.

Trudeausaid Tuesday he approached the issue with "patience and understanding" but eventually concluded the two MPs could not remain in the caucus.

A number of participants in today's event already have tweeted their support for the two women.

"We are here in Ottawa as young women participating in a conference and we wholeheartedly condemn you ejecting Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott from caucus," tweetedDeanna Allain, representing the riding of Hamilton Mountain.

"Respect the integrity of women and indigenous leaders in politics. Do better."

Without mentioning Philpott or Wilson-Raybould by name, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh gave a nod to the scandal in his speech to the crowd.

Jagmeet Singh addresses Daughters of the Vote

5 years ago

Duration 9:40

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh addresses the Daughters of the Vote in the House of Commons.

"If anyone ever suggests that you're being difficult by speaking truth to power, you're not being difficult, you're being courageous," he said to thunderous applause.

"Being a team player doesn't mean following the team, it means being willing to lose it all, because of your principles and your values and having the courage to do that."

Both Wilson-Raybould and Philpottwere spotted in the House of Commons's gallery for the start of the Daughters of the Vote speeches, which included an address by former prime minister Kim Campbell.

"It was an extraordinary experienceto be in there and to hear these women speak," said Philpott.

Elizabeth May addresses Daughters of the Vote

5 years ago

Duration 11:03

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May addresses the Daughters of the Vote in the House of Commons.

"I want to salute all of the leaders who are in the room today who spoke and the Daughters of the Vote organization for choosing just such an incredible array of bright women who are speaking on some of the most important topics of our country. I was deeply moved by their passion, their enthusiasm and the wisdom that was displayed."

Daughters of the Vote summit

5 years ago

Duration 6:49

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced some tough questions in the House of Commons today not from opposition MPs but from young women participating in a special event promoting political leadership. Host Vassy Kapelos spoke to some of them.