TORONTO — Ontario’s finance minister apologized Tuesday after calling an NDP MPP an “idiot” during question period.

NDP deputy leader Sara Singh was asking Vic Fedeli about the rocky rollout of online cannabis sales in Ontario.

Two weeks ago, Ontario’s ombudsman confirmed that his office received more than 1,000 complaints about the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) since it opened on Oct. 17. The ombudsman said most beefs are from customers frustrated with delayed deliveries, billing problems and poor customer service.

Singh asked Fedeli about the warehouse operator, and how it was selected. In response, Fedeli had this to say:

“We understand how business works. I can appreciate very much that the NDP don’t quite understand how business works, but as the security of the OCS warehouse is a top priority, we will not be sharing further information on the day-to-day operation. That’s how business works. Idiot.”

His response drew a standing ovation from the Progressive Conservative caucus just as he levelled the attack on Singh — which wasn’t immediately heard by the opposition in the legislature.

Vic Fedeli rises in the house to apologize for unparliamentary language. He doesn’t say what he said but he can be heard saying “idiot” in response to a question from the NDP about the Ontario Cannabis Store #onpoli

WATCH 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/NP7j7a59JD — Marieke Walsh (@MariekeWalsh) November 13, 2018

In his apology, Fedeli didn’t name the person to whom he’d been speaking, but said: “I unreservedly apologize.”

Fedeli wasn’t made available to reporters after question period, but when iPolitics ran into him later on, he would only repeat that he had “stood in the legislature and apologized.”

The comment came during a tense question in which Premier Doug Ford was repeatedly asked to defend controversial decisions by his government.

On Monday, the Globe and Mail reported that Ford’s chief of staff, Dean French, intervened in an Ontario Power Generation staffing decision. According to the report, French asked the Crown corporation to fire Patrick Brown’s former chief of staff on the first day of his new job.

Then on Tuesday morning, the former executive director of the PC caucus office made public that he has hired high-profile lawyers in the wake of his exit from the job last week.

Singh said she’s concerned by the lack of decorum in the legislature.

“To hurl a personal insult is pretty petty, but also detracts from what we’re here to do,” she said. “My job is to ask questions, and I would hope that, rather than throwing out personal insults, I’d get answers.”

The Liberals called the comment disrespectful, but interim leader John Fraser said it’s “typical of the finance minister,” adding, “that’s his M.O.”

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the incident was yet another example of the “significantly” deteriorating tone in the legislature.

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