KITCHENER — What is being called an "anti-BlackBerry" petition introduced at the Ontario Legislative Assembly on Monday had local Conservative Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris fuming.

The petition introduced by Liberal MPP for Etobicoke-North, Shafiq Qaadri, asked the legislature to allow members and staff to use a variety of smartphones instead of remaining trapped in its "BlackBerry-only policy."

Qaadri called the assembly's policy "handicapping, retarding and penalizing MPPs" — much to the ire of Harris, who thought his use of language was inappropriate.

"It's highly offensive," Harris said.

"As an MPP, these are taxpayer-funded devices."

While there is no official policy on BlackBerry use, only BlackBerry phones are purchased for members and staff.

This isn't the first time Qaadri asked legislature "to embrace all digital technologies."

In the last session at Queen's Park, he put a similar petition forward on more than 20 different occasions.

Harris said BlackBerry phones are used by the government because they have top-notch security and that is why governments from Barack Obama's to Angela Merkel's also use them.

He was doubly upset that Qaadri would slam a Canadian company, calling it "iconic" and pointed out that BlackBerry, headquartered in Waterloo, employs thousands of Ontarians.

"If he's upset because he can't get Snapchat on his BlackBerry, frankly he can get his own device and pay for it with his own money," Harris said.

Liberal MPP Daiene Vernille of Kitchener-Centre said the petition was "one person's opinion."

"BlackBerry is the genesis of our region's global tech success.

"And, I can tell you, our government continues to be a strong supporter of this iconic brand that's transformed the way people connect around the world," she added.

It is unclear whether or not Qaadri's petition has any traction. When MPPs put forth petitions, the government has 24 days from the day it is tabled to respond. But their response could simply just be a "thank you for the submission."

Cambridge Liberal MPP Kathryn McGarry also spoke to defend BlackBerry on Thursday following Harris's statement, calling the company a "prime example of an Ontario success story."

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"I have only ever used BlackBerry and will only ever use BlackBerry," she said, adding that she has three of them.

The homegrown smartphone also reigns in Ottawa with 98 per cent of federal employees using them, according to Shared Services Canada.