Tight underwear triggers a ruling from the Deputy Speaker on whether an MP’s vote is valid. :eek:
Pat Martin (NDP MP) cast his vote on a procedural motion in the Commons, but then left his seat for a short time. A Conservative MP questioned whether Martin’s vote counted, since he didn’t stay for while other MPs were still voting.
Mr Martin explained to the House that he had to leave because his underwear was too tight (and presumably needed a wardrobe adjustment - trying to avoid thinking too hard about that :eek:). He shamelessly threw the Hudson Bay Company under the bus, saying they were selling cheap underwear at half price and he succumbed to the temptation of a deal.
Bear in mind, this explanation is being given to the House of Commons, the centre of Canada’s democracy, in turn to be broadcast nationally.
So the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons had to rule on whether an MP’s tight underwear negated his vote, saying:
“I didn’t understand the explanation at the time, that he subsequently gave … can’t say I really understand it at this point.” However, he ruled that since Martin was in his seat when the vote was called, and stayed until he cast his vote, his vote was valid.