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Canadians should be able to tune into debates in the House of Commons and not be “embarrassed” by the conduct of their politicians, he added.

“The Speaker (Andrew Scheer) has the power to do this but what he is lacking is the political will,” Cullen told reporters Monday in the foyer of the House of Commons Monday.

“We must remain hard on the issues but softer on the people themselves and cut down on the personal insults.”

Cullen says the Speaker should take away questions from MPs who are disruptive.

“The official Opposition is saying, ‘If we are the ones causing problems, you can punish us,'” he said.

He said Canadians aren’t allowed to yell and act like bullies in their workplace, so why should politicians be able to do so.

When asked why he would propose punishments that specifically target the opposition parties, Cullen noted government MPs often ask “planted questions” during question period to highlight government initiatives.

Cullen repeated his call for decorum and respect in the House of Commons just prior to question period Monday, which the government quickly accused the party of breaking.

After a question from outspoken NDP MP Charlie Angus, Government House Leader Peter Van Loan said it took the NDP “seven minutes” to renege on Cullen’s call for civility.

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Cullen’s predecessor, Joe Comartin, had also made several calls for the Speaker to have wider powers.

Despite Cullen’s insistence that decorum has improved in the House of Commons there have been many notable examples of less than polite behaviour during question period over the last year.